ITALIAN international full-back Antonio Benarrivo was yesterday in talks with Middlesbrough over a proposed one-year loan move from Parma.

Benarrivo, who arrived at Boro's Hurworth training base yesterday afternoon, could make the move permanent at the end of the season in a £500,000 deal.

The 33-year-old left-back, capped 23 times by his country, has two years left on his contract with Parma.

But after a decade at the Serie A club, he is keen to end his playing days in the Premiership.

Benarrivo was linked with Newcastle United before they signed fellow Italian Alessandro Pistone from Inter Milan four years ago.

Benarrivo's ability to play on either side of defence offers fresh options to Boro manager Steve McClaren, whose search for a left-back has also taken in a check on West Brom's Neil Clement.

Meanwhile, Boro striker Alen Boksic has furiously refuted claims that he has feigned injury during his five-week absence.

Boksic, who hasn't been seen since the opening day of the season, hopes to return to action at Chelsea tomorrow after his lay-off with a severely bruised calf, the legacy of a late Tony Adams tackle in Boro's 4-0 Riverside defeat by Arsenal.

Croatia star Boksic has been plagued by nagging injuries since he joined Boro from Lazio for £2.5m in the summer of last year.

But hints that the 31-year-old has made a meal of his latest injury have been met with contempt in the Boro camp.

"I have heard the rumours that I was not really injured and I want to tell all Middlesbrough supporters that this is simply not true," said Boksic, Boro's player of the year last season.

"I am very angry that such things are being said. Like any player, I want to play in as many games as possible - I love playing.

"Someone said to me that I was always injured. How can they they say that? I played 32 games last season. That is not someone who gets injured many times.

"This time I have played only one game, against Arsenal, but that was when I was kicked and got this injury. Now I hope I can stay fit and play many games for Middlesbrough."

Boksic, Boro's leading scorer last term with 12 goals, admitted: "I have found this injury frustrating - it has been a very bad injury.

"It is always hard to be injured, but this time I have had many problems. Several times I have felt ready to play but found it hard when I start to train.

"Each time I have needed more treatment. I have worked hard to get fit, but it has taken longer than I would want.

"Now I am nearly fit again and I hope I will be able to play against Chelsea. It is good that the team have won some games. I am very happy that they have done this."

McClaren, who has seen his side win their last three matches in all competitions after starting his managerial career with four defeats, was quick to confirm Boksic's version of events.

"There's been a misconception about Alen's injury,'' said McClaren. "There's been frustration that he hasn't been playing and people have been looking for reasons why he hasn't been playing.

"But nobody hates being in that treatment room more than Alen. As he says, he loves playing.

"We'll be delighted to have him back and fit, and as long as we keep him fit, he'll be a very important part of this team.

"One or two people have mentioned that he doesn't want to play, but that's a load of rubbish.''

With Dean Windass out for up to two weeks with the knee injury he sustained in Monday's 2-1 win at Leicester, Boksic is set to partner the in-form Brian Deane at Stamford Bridge.

McClaren made a personal check on Chelsea in their 3-0 UEFA Cup first-round, first-leg victory over Levski Sofia on Thursday, and the Boro boss believes Claudio Ranieri's unbeaten side have the capability to mount a Premiership title challenge.

"I think they've got a chance, purely on the evidence of the start they've made to the season,'' said England coach McClaren, who expects national boss Sven-Goran Eriksson to be in attendance tomorrow.

Chelsea received a pre-match boost yesterday when striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was cleared to play after being successful in his appeal against the red card he was shown in the home game with Arsenal two weeks ago.

The Dutchman, a former Boro target, was dismissed following a clash with Martin Keown. McClaren said: "I think Hasselbaink is a major part of the Chelsea team.''

* Boro defender Christian Hanson has joined First Division Portsmouth on trial.

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