MICHAEL RICKETTS hopes for a little derby delight for Middlesbrough tomorrow and he wants to score the winning goal.

The powerful new Boro striker failed to find the net when he made his first appearance at Liverpool nearly two weeks ago but he is convinced he will not have to wait too long before he gets off the mark.

Ricketts grabbed Bolton's equalising goal when the Trotters met Sunderland back in October. And now the front-man believes he can compound the misery of the relegation-threatened Black Cats by putting another past them.

"I didn't score on my debut and I was disappointed with that," said the 24-year-old. "But given that I have scored against Sunderland once this season already why shouldn't I score again?"

Ricketts' impressive form for Bolton led to him being given a chance on the international stage when he was called up to the England squad and he earned his first cap last year.

Since making the £3.5m move from the Reebok Stadium, just minutes before the closure of January's transfer window, the former Walsall man has been focused on forcing his way back into Sven-Goran Eriksson's plans.

Ricketts insists he has made a step-up by joining the Riverside outfit and he is adamant that the quality of Boro's squad will make him a better player.

"I'm more than happy with the talent I have seen at this club and I'm raring to go at Sunderland," Ricketts told the club's official website.

"Mind you it would be nice to play at home some time."

Ricketts warned Sunderland that Boro boss Steve McClaren has instilled a no fear mentality into his squad ahead of the short trip north to the Stadium of Light.

McClaren's men earned their first point on their travels since September 28 when they drew 1-1 at Liverpool.

And Ricketts revealed that result has given Boro the confidence to turn it on outside the Riverside more often.

He said: "Show no fear was the message from the management before the Liverpool game. And if you can go to places like Anfield and show no fear then you can go anywhere."

Reports in Italy are suggesting Boro have approached Roma over experienced goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli. The 33-year-old has played in 13 of Roma's 21 Serie A games this season and he is known to be tempted by a move to England.

Antonioli said: "I have spent all of my career, 16 years so far, in Italian football and I would like to try something different while I'm still good enough. Perhaps England."

A move for Antonioli would be a strange one by McClaren as he already has Mark Schwarzer and Mark Crossley on his playing staff.

Schwarzer has been in outstanding form for Boro this season and is sure to be in the manager's plans for next season, while No 2 Crossley indicated he was happy on Teesside earlier this week.

* Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident keeper David Seaman will recover from injury in time to face Ajax in the Champions League next week.

Seaman was forced off at half-time during the Gunners' 1-1 draw with the Dutch side at Highbury on Tuesday due to a hip injury.

He has now been ruled out of tomorrow's Premiership game at Manchester City, meaning Stuart Taylor, who replaced him on Tuesday night, will continue in goal.

However, as recent signing Guillaume Warmuz is ineligible for the Champions League, there was greater concern about next Wednesday's return fixture in Amsterdam.

The Gunners yesterday took the precautionary step of ensuring that 18-year-old rookie keeper Craig Holloway was registered.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.