MIDDLESBROUGH have joined Tottenham in turning down the chance to sign Juninho's World Cup stand-in Ricardinho.

The Corinthians midfielder, who twice came on as a substitute for Juninho during Brazil's glorious Far-East campaign, is being hawked around the Premiership.

Leeds, with former Boro coach Terry Venables now in charge, have also been strongly linked with 26-year-old Ricardinho, who is eager to follow Juninho and fellow Brazil star Gilberto Silva of Arsenal, into the English game.

But Boro manager Steve McClaren, still coming to terms with the long-term loss of cruciate ligament victim Juninho, has finished his summer spending after splashing out nearly £20m.

McClaren told Northern Echo Sport: "Ricardinho is being touted around, but we're not interested.''

Earlier, Spurs director of football, David Pleat, also discounted the chances of £3m-rated Ricardinho moving to White Hart Lane.

Pleat said: "We entertained officials from the Corinthians club who were over here on a visit, at which time it was mentioned they were hoping to transfer players to England.

"But it was made clear to them that Glenn Hoddle has no interest in any of the players they wish to sell.''

Distraught Juninho might have welcomed a Samba soulmate on Teesside to help him through the dark winter months as he contemplates a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Only four days after rubber-stamping his third coming to the Riverside in a £3.8m return from Atletico Madrid, Juninho was injured in a pre-season game against Modena in Italy last Saturday, which has ruled him out until New Year at least.

Boro could now turn to world-renowned knee specialist Richard Steadman - the man who last year saved the career of Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer - to speed Juninho's recovery.

Steadman, who has a clinic in Vail, Colorado, also operated on Shearer's strike partner Craig Bellamy at the end of last season.

McClaren admitted: "We have to find the best possible treatment for Juninho. We're doing our homework and we're looking at specialists all over the world.

"We're at the consultation stage and we're waiting for the knee to settle down. We're setting up appointments to see a specialist next week.

"It's too early to say whether Juninho will play again this season.

"But we're confident he will make a full recovery. The technology is there nowadays and it has been proved with cruciate injuries that players recover so that they are just as good, if not better, than they were before.

"We won't know the full extent of the injury until next week, but we're not expecting any complications.''

McClaren admitted, however, that the setback had shattered 29-year-old Juninho.

"It's a devastating blow - it's like a thunderbolt,'' said McClaren. "He was looking forward to playing in England again and everyone was excited. There was a buzz about the place, and this has deflated things.

"But it gives an opportunity to someone else.''

That someone looks like being Alen Boksic, who has been declared fit for tomorrow's Premiership opener at Southampton.

The Croatia World Cup striker has recovered from a calf injury and is in contention to line up alongside Boro's £8.15m record buy Massimo Maccarone at St. Mary's.

With Franck Queudrue suspended, Colin Cooper and David Murphy are vying for the left-back role.

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