MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren is expected to take Spanish midfielder Luis Helguera on trial before the start of the season.

The Udinese man, who also attracted the attention of Newcastle before the £8.5m signing of Portuguese wonder-kid Hugo Viana, has been linked to a move to the Premiership for some time.

And, according to a Helguera representative, the player is considering coming to the North-East.

"Middlesbrough's interest is now big again," said Jaime Ladjemi. "He may well move there for a couple of days next week."

Ladjemi indicated that Boro are yet to approach Udinese about Helguera, but the Italian outfit would be quick to accept a decent offer for the tough-tackling middle man.

"Middlesbrough have to ask Udinese first, which they are going to do, but there is no problem in Udinese letting him go because they are a selling club," he said.

McClaren is desperate to add weight to the middle of midfield after the departures of Robbie Mustoe and Paul Ince from Teesside.

The Boro chief remains keen on Aston Villa's George Boateng but the Midlands club are refusing to budge on their £7m valuation.

However, McClaren's attempts to bring Brazilian attacking midfielder Juninho back to the Riverside are looking more promising.

The 27-year-old's father and agent, Osvaldo Giroldo, has confirmed that his son intends to step up his negotations over the next couple of days.

Boro have already agreed a fee of around £4m with Juninho's club, Atletico Madrid, and Osvaldo Giroldo is preparing to come to England to finalise the deal.

"We have begun negotiations with Middlesbrough but we want to carry them further," Osvaldo Giroldo said.

''As soon as they call me and we can establish some guidelines, I will travel to continue the negotiations."

Juninho has been on loan for the past two years to clubs in his homeland - Vasco da Gama and Flamengo - and he has has enjoyed two spells at Boro.

Meanwhile, Boro assistant boss Bill Beswick confirmed yesterday that Nigerian defender Justice Christopher spent last week training with the club. Christopher, a member of his country's World Cup squad, had already signed for Bulgarian side Levski Sofia.

And Beswick said: "He did come here so we could have a look at him but he's gone back."

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