MIDDLESBROUGH boss Bryan Robson reckons he has potentially one of the most potent strikeforces in the country in Alen Boksic and Hamilton Ricard.

Colombian hitman Ricard returned to form with a hat-trick in Tuesday's Worthington Cup win at Macclesfield and is set to start alongside Croatian star Boksic at Southampton today for the first time.

With Boksic being hampered by injuries and illness, and Ricard having struggled to find his touch, the pair have been unable to strike up a partnership.

But Robson, who is hoping to tie Ricard to a new contract beyond the end of next season, yesterday warned: "I know that if I can get him and Alen at the top of their form, we're going to have a really potent force and people are going to be worried about defending against us.''

Robson has put Ricard through a rigorous training regime to build up his fitness.

"Hamilton had quite a decent summer off, rather than playing in international tournaments, and because of that we didn't do any extra work with him,'' explained Robson.

"But he's a big lad and needs good, solid training. With not playing every game this season, I felt his fitness fell away a bit.

"He's a bit like Boksic because he's got a massive frame and those type of lads need plenty of power-running, and we didn't give Hamilton enough of that.

"Keith Lamb, our chief executive, is in negotiations with Hamilton's agent in Colombia about a new contract, but the only thing that concerns me at the moment is getting his fitness right.''

Robson yesterday identified the player who could one day form an attacking trio with Boksic and Ricard - Argentinian prodigy Carlos Marinelli.

And the Boro boss dropped a heavy hint that the 18-year-old, signed last season from Boca Juniors for £1.5m, may play a part in today's game.

Marinelli appeared as a substitute in both the home game against Aston Villa a week ago and this week's clash with Macclesfield.

Robson said: "The kid is coming on really well. He's learning - he's realised he can't just sit in a hole and play his own little game.

"He knows now he's got to work really hard when the opposition are on the ball. He's getting used to the physical demands of the game in this country.

"And when you come from the other side of the world to a different environment, it takes time to adjust.

"But Carlos is doing that now and there's a nice, bright spark about his game. He's enjoying his football and he's settled down.

"I think he will end up as a really good player, but I'm just going to nurture him for now. I'm not going to rush him because we've got enough experienced players.''

Robson, meanwhile, insisted that Boksic is happy at the Riverside, despite Boro's indifferent start to the season.

The former Lazio frontman, who arrived in the summer in a £2.5m deal, thumped his fist on a table and cursed as he left the stadium after the disappointing 1-1 draw with Villa.

But Robson said: "It's nonsense to suggest he's not happy here. I've spoken to Alen and he's absolutely fine.

"Obviously he'd like results to have gone better, but I've spoken to a lot of the lads and we all know that we haven't even really started this season.

"It's a long, hard season and we know there's better to come from us.

"The only game where we played like we know we can was our first when we won 3-1 at Coventry. Since then we've been disrupted by injuries.

"We seem to come out of every game with three injuries. I've used 27 players in nine games. It's a nonsense and very frustrating.''

The latest casualties are Andy Campbell, who has a groin problem, and knee injury victim Gianluca Festa. Brian Deane has also suffered a recurrence of groin trouble.

But Christian Karembeu looks set to return after three weeks out with a knee injury and Gary Pallister (groin) and Steve Vickers (Achilles) are also back in contention.

l Boro will be represented when France face Cameroon in Paris next week.

Cameroon defender Lucien Mettomo, on trial with Boro from St. Etienne with a view to a possible £4m deal, is expected to figure in the friendly international.

But Robson, whose interest in Aston Villa's Ugo Ehiogu has gone on hold, insists he won't now enter the market as a buyer until the EC ruling on transfer fees is known in a month's time.

Mettomo's proposed move to Blackburn collapsed when he failed a medical because of a knee injury, and Robson stressed: "We're having the lad's knee checked out to make sure there isn't a major problem.

"If we're happy, we'll take the deal further.'