STEVE McClaren is predicting Middlesbrough's new-look strike partnership will flourish in the Premiership this season.

Front two Alen Boksic and Massimo Maccarone started their first game together as a pair against Fulham on Saturday.

And there were promising signs that both players could forge a lethal attacking force in the English top-flight.

Maccarone hit a brace at the Riverside during the clash, while Boksic worked hard alongside Boro's £8.15m front-man.

Confident boss McClaren said: "I thought the Boksic-Maccarone combination was excellent.

"With them two up front and Carlos (Marinelli) behind it looks very exciting and I think we could see some bright attacking play from that trio this year.

"Alen was impressive against Fulham and if Maccarone and Alen can keep that up they will do well this season."

Maccarone's first two competitive goals since his summer switch was a firm indication just why McClaren was prepared to meet Italian side Empoli's asking price.

And the 22-year-old, already a Riverside hero, is convinced that he will make an even bigger impression on the club's supporters.

But he admitted that he was disappointed not to have become the first Boro star to score a Premiership hat-trick since Fabrizio Ravanelli did just that in 1997.

"I can take heart from what I saw and so should the fans," said Maccarone. "I am going to be even more determined to score more goals and I hope they will count for more in the next matches.

"Personally, I am happy with the two goals and it is a shame I didn't score the third when I had the chance because that would have definitely killed the game off."

The Italian international was substituted with six minutes remaining against Jean Tigana's men - and by the end of the encounter the game was all square.

And Maccarone admitted he was delighted with his full home debut, but was annoyed by his side's failure to claim their first victory of the new campaign.

Now he is already focusing on this weekend's home clash with Blackburn.

"I was delighted with the goals, I could not have asked for any more, but I was disappointed with the result," he said.

"Losing two goals in the last minutes spoilt the day for me.

"I enjoyed my game. But it was important that we took three points, it disappoints me that we didn't.

"It would have been a good start for us in the championship, but what we have to make sure now is that we don't slip up this Saturday when we are at home again. Then we can forget what happened."

McClaren also revealed he is delighted with the way young Argentinian Marinelli has filled the void left by crocked Brazilian Juninho. Marinelli was billed as the 'new Diego Maradona' when he joined the Teesside club in 1999 from Boca Juniors.

But, despite plenty of promise, he has never been able to light up the Riverside.

However, McClaren is convinced the 20-year-old attacking midfielder can shine in Juninho's absence.

"I think Carlos is a player with great talent and great ability. He showed it against Fulham," he said. "Everything is about consistency and that's individually and as a team. If Carlos can get that consistency going then he will do well."

Juninho has arrived in the United States for an operation on his cruciate knee ligament that will rule him out for most of the season.

The 29-year-old midfielder was accompanied on his trans-Atlantic flight by club physiotherapist Bob Ward.

* Boro midfielder Phil Stamp is expected to complete a £500,000 move to Scottish Premier League side Hearts.

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