AT ANY other time Graeme Souness, plotting Newcastle's assault on Greek outfit Olympiacos this evening, would have taken a seat inside the Riverside Stadium tonight.

There may not have been any chants in support of his former club Middlesbrough in their quest to topple Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup but, more likely, there would have been an interesting eye cast over the development of one Hugo Viana.

When Souness took over the reins from Sir Bobby Robson in September, Viana had already started his season-long loan back in his native Portugal and no thoughts of a recall were considered.

The creative midfielder, although Magpies' fans rarely witnessed it, missed out on the chance to impress his new boss in December because a clause in the deal stipulated he couldn't play against his parent club.

But tonight Viana has the chance to show the North-East just what he is capable of and that his terrible two-year spell at St James' Park was more down to climate change than lack of talent.

Since returning to Portugal, he has become an integral part of Sporting's rise up the league table and their challenge for the title with Benfica and Porto.

Viana has scored 11 goals this season, only six short of Newcastle's combined total from their eight first-team midfielders.

Lee Bowyer is Newcastle's leading scorer from midfield with six goals but the outstanding scoring form of Viana this season, albeit in a weaker league, should have given Souness food for thought ahead of the summer.

Boro will have to be on their guard against the enigmatic 22-year-old this evening, as Steve McClaren's men look to gain the upperhand in the two-legged tie.

But Viana, convinced his career lies away from Tyneside, has returned to the region determined to put on a decent showing, knowing what the Newcastle faithful just a little further up the North Sea coast think of him.

"It's just nice that I will get the chance to show the public up there what I'm really capable of and what I can do," said Viana, who made 61 appearances in a black and white shirt.

"I spent a couple of years in Newcastle yet no-one in England has really seen my best football.

"When Sporting played at Newcastle before Christmas I was introduced to Graeme Souness but he did not seem interested in me. He said hello but I did not feel he acknowledged me as a Newcastle player.

"I am looking forward to going back to England with Sporting. I want to show the English people how good I am. I know Middlesbrough are a good side and it will be difficult."

Having been unable to play against Newcastle - the group fixture ended 1-1 at St James' Park - Viana missed out on the chance to shrug off the tag of failure that had worsened after a severe case of stage-fright in last season's UEFA Cup semi-final with Marseille.

But the European Young Footballer of the Year award he picked up prior to his move to Tyneside and the £8.5m fee paid by Robson in 2002 for his services are signs of a man with undoubted ability.

"Portuguese players who have come to the Premiership, like Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Tiago at Chelsea, have been able to adapt to the English game. I haven't," he said.

"I can honestly say that I always gave my best but, despite that, I struggled.

"I am glad to be back in Portugal and I'm enjoying my football again.

"To have the chance to come to England and play on Thursday with Sporting is fantastic for me.

"I tried to make it at Newcastle but I think everyone would agree that my game is not suited to English football.

"I know it, the Newcastle fans know it and Graeme Souness knows it.

"Now I'm back in Portugal I feel comfortable and I'm enjoying my football more.

"I am playing well again and scoring goals.

"It's best for me to move on and I know that most people at Newcastle would agree, it's best for everyone that I do."

Due to the clause in the loan deal, if Boro are brushed aside by Sporting over the next week and Jose Peseiro's men were to play Newcastle in the latter stages, Viana would be again unable to play.

If that were to be in the final - which is to be in Sporting's Jose Alvalade Stadium - it is something that rankles with the player.

But Boro manager McClaren is sure to have other ideas on who will be playing in Lisbon on May 18 and you can guarantee neither Newcastle nor Sporting will be in his plans.

McClaren said: "Hugo Viana is a very good player.

"I watched him last week and they are all technically very good. It will be tough. They have a team full of footballers. Great passers.

"Hugo has a point to prove. Only Newcastle people know why he has gone back.

"I watched him play last week and he has great ability."

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