Juninho to fight for place

Juninho is a firm fans' favourite at The Riverside but he has seen the club bring in star strikers Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink this summer.

The big-name arrivals at The Riverside have plunged Juninho's position at the club into doubt.

Earlier in the month, Juninho distanced himself from reports linking him with a move to Celtic and, following the pre-season clash with York City, the diminutive forward confirmed he has no plans to move on.

"It's only been rumour," Juninho told Sky Sports News after his fine display against York. "I'm very clear that I want to stay.

"Why would I want to leave now?

"At Middlesbrough, I've always expected to play in Europe.

"Now that we are in Europe, why would I want to leave? I will only leave if the manager wants me to - that's clear.

"The management have to be honest and pick those players who are playing the best football at the moment.

"Of course, I would be unhappy if I wasn't playing, like everybody else, but I have to do my job and show I am in condition to play."

Another player who could be joining Juninho at Boro is Ray Parlour, with the club confident of keeping the Arsenal man in The Premiership.

Parlour said on Wednesday that he was keen to stay in London and join West ham, but the indications are that he will head north to Boro.

His agent has confirmed a deal is imminent, comments backed up by the Teesside club.

"It is no secret we want Ray to join us and hopefully it is being seen to as we speak," said Boro coach Steve Harrison.