BRAZILIAN Juninho is on course for his long-awaited comeback against Newcastle United on March 5.

The exciting attacking midfielder has not kicked a ball this season after suffering serious knee ligament damage in a summer friendly in Italy.

But Juninho is now lively again in training and he could even play some part in next Saturday's clash with Everton.

Boro boss Steve McClaren revealed last night that the skilful South American wanted to play in this afternoon's derby at Sunderland, but the coaching staff are not prepared to take the gamble.

But McClaren admitted Juninho has been a massive boost to have around the training field.

He said: "His enthusiam and dedication in trying to recover from a serious injury has been tremendous. I'm full of admiration for his character and commitment.

"He wanted to play in the game against Sunderland. He thought he was ready, but we've had to hold him back a little bit, we don't want him doing too much, too early.

"He has been taking part in full contact training which is like a match situation, but we have to take the advice of the medical staff. This game is a little too soon, but he could be back next week."

McClaren admits he is desperate to include Juninho in his Premiership starting XI for the first time.

And the Boro boss believes the 29-year-old, in his third spell on Teesside, is up there with the best players to have played on the Premiership stage.

"He is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents to have ever graced the Premiership," said McClaren, who got the World Cup winner for a knockdown £3.8m from Atletico Madrid.

"We only had him a week before he got injured, but before then and since he has come back you realise just what a wonderful player he is.

"It was a massive blow to lose him before the start of the season as he was the final piece in my summer rebuilding and an integral part of our plans."

McClaren, meanwhile, does not want to see North-East neighbours Sunderland lose their battle against relegation.

Boro take on the Black Cats today and McClaren said: "I'm full of admiration for Howard Wilkinson and you have to give respect to someone who has done so much in football.

"There is no way I want Sunderland to go down because we would lose a derby game.

"I want them to get out of trouble, as long as they start after we play them."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.