ALEN BOKSIC was "rested" by Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren at Aston Villa, but he is expected to return at Blackburn Rovers.

Boro travel to Ewood Park on New Year's Day knowing defeat could see the Teessiders drop into the bottom half of the table.

And McClaren admitted that he thought the striker, who turns 33 next month, needed a rest during the hectic Christmas schedule.

"We have had two games in three days, less than 48 hours recovery," said McClaren, who witnessed Boksic grab his side's opening goal in the 3-1 win over Man. United on Boxing Day.

"We said going into this spell of five games in 14 days that we would need to use a rotation system.

"We also felt we needed a bit more of a solid approach going into this Villa game. We just felt we needed to rest him because he took a knock anyway on Boxing Day and there's no point in risking players when we have got others who can come in and do a job.

"Szil (Nemeth) did well, Joseph (Job) was excellent again, Noel (Whelan) came on and we have got good back up."

Meanwhile, McClaren was left fuming on Saturday after referee Rob Styles sent off young midfielder Mark Wilson for his second bookable offence in the first half. The Boro chief had a chat with referee Rob Styles, who booked four other players in what wasn't a dirty game, during half-time at Villa Park.

And McClaren, who thought both of Wilson's incidents were yellow cards, said: "We were both fairly civilised to each other. We had a little chat and I asked him to use a little common sense to try to calm the game down.

"I don't need to state the facts about the referee. We all saw the incident and I can't say too much. I don't need to see it again because I know what I saw.

"You can look at both incidents and you can say both were bookable offences, but they were both early in the game.

"The game was spoilt. It was a uphill battle. It just needed a bit of common sense."

Boro have lost their last seven away matches - not the perfect way to see in the new year at Blackburn. But McClaren does not believe it has become a mental factor, he said: "Even when you look at all of the games away from home, we have never been hammered. They have always been close affairs.

"We have always had that something that hasn't quite gone for us. Like here when we had a man sent off.

"Their heads never drop. A lot of people talk about away day blues, but I don't advocate to it.

"It doesn't become mental for me and I don't see why it should for them.

"If we weren't creating enough and showing the right attitude then I would be concerned.

"If we were getting beat three of four nil on our away travels I would. But we aren't, it's been an odd slip up and some decisions are not going with us."