MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren will enjoy mixed emotions at Craven Cottage tonight with £4.5m striker Mark Viduka's debut countered by an injury to Michael Reiziger which will keep the right-back out for out for two months.

Boro's early season sick-list was dealt its most severe blow yesterday when it was decided that Holland international Reiziger's shoulder problem requires surgery.

With Viduka completing his ban after a sending-off for Leeds at Bolton last season, the Aussie international's debut was the boon Boro needed after Sunday's disappointing 5-3 defeat to Arsenal after leading the champions 3-1 early in the second half.

But the result wasn't the only bad news coming out of north London on Sunday with Reiziger aggravating the injury he picked up in pre-season.

McClaren will now be forced into the third defensive reshuffle since the opening day of the season as he returns to the capital in a bid to claim the Teessider's first win of the new campaign.

The Boro boss had hoped last week the 31-year-old could avoid surgery on the joint, but was last night forced to admit defeat.

McClaren said: "I think the shoulder popped out - they put it back - and said it was always liable to pop out again.

"It didn't but we just feel - at this stage of the season - it's better to get him fit now rather than soldier on.

"He'll be going to Switzerland on Saturday to see the specialist. He could be out for a minimum six weeks and it's a blow to us."

McClaren, however, is hopeful Gareth Southgate can prove his fitness before tonight's kick-off and the skipper may be a surprise inclusion at Fulham.

He said: "Gareth's got a chance of playing. He's got a better chance than (Ugo) Ehiogu.

"They're both progressing very well and we'll just have to see whether it's worth taking the risk."

The negative news from the treatment room has taken the shine off Viduka's debut, but the former Leeds and Celtic striker is a certain starter.

McClaren is keen to see his first-choice attacking pair of Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in tandem, but he did have some words of comfort for stand-in Joseph Job.

"To have Mark Viduka back and available is fantastic for us," said McClaren. "He's been great in training and we can't wait to see him play.

"He'll (Viduka) be involved at some stage. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Viduka are two quality players and it will be good to see them playing together.

"I think Jimmy and Joseph Job have formed a very good partnership up front. We've scored goals and it's a credit to them.

"That's what I wanted to do create competition for places up front.

"It's not just Joseph doing that. Szilard Nemeth came on against Newcastle and changed the game for us."

* Celtic are expected to parade Juninho as their new signing at Parkhead today after the Brazil World Cup star came to an agreement with Boro over his pay-off.

The 31-year-old is on the verge of becoming one of manager Martin O'Neill's - and the club's - best-ever transfer coups.

The talented playmaker also looks like putting his name to a contract in time to make his debut against Rangers on Sunday with the club being hit by injury problems.