TEENAGER James Morrison today faces the daunting task of deputising for Gaizka Mendieta when Middlesbrough take on Notts County in the third round of the FA Cup.

Darlington-born midfielder Morrison, who won't be 18 until May, has been earmarked to make his debut and fill the right-sided role vacated by the vacationing Mendieta.

Boro manager Steve McClaren has allowed Mendieta to return with his family to his native Spain for a much-needed week's rest and recuperation.

McClaren yesterday admitted he had taken pity on Mendieta after witnessing his look of bewilderment when he reported for training in the late afternoon of Christmas Day, to prepare for the game at Blackburn.

"We felt he needed a rest,'' stressed McClaren. "All the other players are used to playing over the Christmas period, but if you'd seen Mendieta's face at five o'clock on Christmas Day when it was freezing, pitch black and he had to come in for training, it was clearly alien to him.

"He's been fantastic for us. We keep the stats, and he's the one who covers the most distance in games in our team.

"But in the last three or four games he's looked a little jaded, mentally as much as physically, and we feel a week away will freshen him up for the second half of the season and he'll come back a stronger player.''

McClaren, who is also tempted to rest Juninho with Joseph-Desire Job poised for a comeback after over three months out with a knee ligament injury, has every confidence in Morrison.

Stewart Downing, 19, will operate on the opposite flank as Boro showcase two of their brightest young talents.

McClaren said: "Morrison has been doing very well. He's really shot through the youth squads, trains every day with the first team and never looks out of place. We would have no hesitation about throwing him in on the right.

"Downing will definitely play. He's come back from his loan at Sunderland and done very well.''

Even without Mendieta, McClaren concedes he is spoilt for choice, especially in midfield, where Doriva is available again following a six-match absence with ankle trouble.

Bolo Zenden has made a seamless switch to Doriva's central midfield position in the last three games and formed an effective double Dutch partnership with George Boateng.

As revealed in Northern Echo Sport a week ago, McClaren is hoping to make right-back Danny Mills' move from Leeds permanent during the transfer window.

The Boro boss yesterday ruled out any imminent attempt to seal a similar deal with Chelsea for Zenden, who like Mills arrived on loan last August.

But McClaren has been delighted with the way Zenden has adapted to his new role. He said: "Bolo has come inside from the wing while Doriva has been out, and he and George are a Dutch pair who relish playing alongside each other. Bolo has done well, but we'll look at his situation later in the season.''

In attack, McClaren welcomes the return of Job, whose future remains uncertain with his contract due to run out this summer.

Szilard Nemeth is also ready for a recall, with McClaren admitting: "I'm looking to get both Joseph and Szil back in the frame.

"People forget that when we started on this run of only three defeats in 17 games, it was Joseph - playing alongside Malcolm Christie - who scored the goal that beat Everton.

"Joseph had a fantastic spell last season before he fractured his skull in that game at West Brom. He's been injured again this season, but he's now got something to play for and something to prove.''

On the face of it, today's tie is the ideal opportunity for Boro to reward the patience of their goal-starved fans, who have sat through five successive games at the Riverside without seeing their side score in open play.

McClaren confessed: "At times, away from home, we've been exciting and effective, but at home we need to approach things differently. Our lack of goals at home is something we're looking at.''

Crisis-torn County, who beat Northern League Shildon in the first round, recently came out of administration and are second bottom in Division Two.

But they claimed a scalp this season in the Carling Cup, beating Ipswich 2-1.

McClaren, whose side this month face Arsenal in a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final, steered Boro to a last-four FA Cup clash with the Gunners in his first season in charge, and he admitted: "We want more of that.

"But our attitude needs to be right against Notts County. I know Billy Dearden well and his teams are hard-working, organised and play good football. This is their cup final. Brighton gave us a tough game here in the Carling Cup this season and took us to extra-time before we won.''