STEVE McCLAREN arrived in Athens yesterday with the prospect of pairing Middlesbrough's 12-goal strikeforce Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka together for the first time since their historic UEFA Cup night at the Riverside Stadium in September.

But while the return to fitness of Viduka looks like being to Boro's gain, manager McClaren knows one of the players that overcame Blackburn on Saturday will have to make way for the Australian.

The Middlesbrough boss is desperate for his men to make the perfect start to the group stage of the UEFA Cup tonight when they visit minnows of the Greek League Elgaleo at the Rizoupoli Stadium - by naming a team he believes to be the strongest available.

However, McClaren also has one eye on Sunday's Premiership home match with Portsmouth and admits many of those who do not play this evening are likely to find themselves thrust into action at the weekend.

The emergence of FA Youth Cup heroes Tony McMahon and James Morrison has suddenly given the Middlesbrough squad a stronger feel, as has the precocious wing wizardry skills of England Under-21 international Stewart Downing.

Only right-back McMahon, with defender Franck Queudrue suspended for his sending off in the second leg against Banik Ostrava, is likely to play this evening but McClaren insists all of his younger generation have proved they are ready when called upon.

Both McMahon and Morrison made memorable top-flight debuts in the draw at Manchester United nearly three weeks ago - in a game which Downing put Middlesbrough in front.

And McClaren said: "We have to shuffle the team because the same players can't play in every game. It is pleasing for me the young lads have come in and shown they can do a job.

"It's very daunting for players to come in like McMahon and Morrison did and perform. But they have handled playing in games like that and they have the right characters to succeed. They are not fazed by the occasion.

"We have 14 internationals at under-21 level here and that's fantastic. They might provide the core of this team's future. We have given 11 Academy players their debuts since we came here, three and a bit years ago, and that's fantastic."

Viduka has overcome back and hamstring problems to make the trip to Greece, where he hopes to make his return to the starting line-up for the first time since the success over Czech champions Banik on September 16.

Both the summer capture from Leeds and fellow front-man Hasselbaink have contributed to Middlesbrough's impressive early-season form by scoring five and seven goals respectively.

And McClaren, who has been without Viduka for the last five games, hopes both men keep injury-free to make sure the UEFA Cup hopefuls' rise up the Premiership continues.

"I've not been surprised by what we have achieved so far," said McClaren. "But we have to get through the group stage now, that's the next step. It's about keeping the players fit.

"We have had players out injured and we have recovered. It's a bonus for us that we have come this far.

"It's good to have Mark and Jimmy available for selection. We felt they could score goals and they are certainly getting them. We wanted a bigger squad and that's what we have got.

"It's very pleasing to see them playing as they are. Many players said they couldn't play together, they have started the season very well.

"They have both scored and I'm delighted with the start they have made. Mark is seriously in my thoughts and he wants to play."

Middlesbrough, who hope to have George Boateng fit tonight despite a stomach upset, have watched videos of Egaleo in action to find out more about the club that finished fifth in the Hellenic National League Premier Division last season.

Egaleo are unbeaten in six games this season - including the two-legged UEFA Cup success over Turkish side Genalerbirligi in the first round - and drew 0-0 with Athens giants Panathinaikos at the weekend.

And McClaren said: "They have done well to get through because they are a small club doing well in their league. They will be hard to beat and well organised. They don't score many but concede very few."

Egaleo (probable): Sidibe; Edusai, Psomas, Alexopoulos, Papantsas; Barkoglon, Fotakis, Skopelitis, Manousakis; Freisenbichler, Nikolopoulous.

Middlesbrough (probable): Schwarzer; McMahon, Southgate, Riggott, Parnaby; Mendieta, Boateng, Parlour, Zenden; Hasselbaink, Viduka.

* Graeme Souness has offered his backing to the Boro team ahead of tonight's game.

Speaking last night, the Newcastle manager said: "It would be great if we could both do well.

"Maybe our supporters would disagree but I want everyone in the North-East to do well, and I include Sunderland in that."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.