MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren could unleash Brazilian Doriva on the Premiership in today's clash with relegation-threatened West Brom - and hand him a contract this summer.

The 30-year-old schemer, signed on loan from Spanish side Celta Vigo just before the transfer window closed in January, has impressed McClaren enough in the reserves and in training to stake his claim. McClaren is pondering a change in system to range Doriva alongside Juninho, who has helped his compatriot settle quickly to life on Teesside.

"Doriva has done well,'' said McClaren. "He's trained well and played very well in the reserves. He has a great attitude and he's a good player; he's played in the World Cup for Brazil.

"He's in contention for the West Brom game. We either keep the same shape or change it to accommodate other people.

"Doriva can't speak a word of English, but we've got Juninho who can translate. Juninho knows him well and you can see in training that they have a rapport.

"If he does well enough between now and the end of the season, we'll look at things again in the summer.''

Emboldened by a six-game unbeaten run, Boro are still talking about the possibility of sneaking into Europe - and creating club history in more ways than one.

The Teessiders have never figured in major European competition, their best Premiership placing was ninth and their highest points haul since the top-flight revamp is 52.

McClaren said: "There are seven games to go, we're 11th with 42 points, and we want to make a bit of history by beating 52 and finishing higher than ninth.

"I like it that the players are talking about Europe and that they're ambitious. They realise it's not a false ambition.

"I'm not going to knock it and say we haven't got a chance of getting into Europe.''

McClaren revealed that a frank exchange of views at a team meeting following the 5-2 home defeat by Aston Villa, proved pivotal to his side's season.

"We had a meeting with the players after the Villa game,'' said McClaren.

"We made a few changes, got everyone together and said, 'We've got 13 games to go, what do we all want to achieve?' The players have responded tremendously.''

Michael Ricketts, who lost his place after failing to score in his first four games following a deadline-beating £3.5m move from Bolton, is doubtful for today's Riverside encounter. The England striker picked up an Achilles injury in the reserves' midweek victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

Midfielder George Boateng is out with ankle ligament damage, but Chris Riggott is back after a knee operation and fellow defender David Murphy has shaken off a thigh injury.

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