McClaren ready to step up his striker search

McClaren concedes that Boro's dearth of goals has been their major failing this season and he is poised to rectify matters.

Boro, who have scored only 11 in 13 Premiership games, are interested in Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen and have also been linked with a loan move for Leeds United's Mark Viduka.

Malcolm Christie is out until March with a broken leg and knee ligament victim Joseph-Desire Job won't be available until January.

Club record £8.15m buy Massimo Maccarone has been unable to command a regular place since recovering from an ankle ligament injury, while Michael Ricketts is still struggling to make an impression and Szilard Nemeth is out of favour.

McClaren admitted: "We've lost Malcolm and Joseph to long-term injuries and we haven't scored as many goals as we would have liked.

"We certainly have players capable of scoring and we have belief in them.

"But if there's an opportunity in January to improve the squad, we'll take it. One area we're looking to improve is up front. If we come across a player, we'll be looking to do that.''

The return to form of Juninho, currently playing as Boro's second striker, has been a massive bonus for McClaren who dropped the Brazilian after his side picked up only one point from their first five games this season.

McClaren insisted: "I wouldn't say it was a kick up the backside for Juninho. I would say it was a reality check after five games for everybody. What we were doing wasn't working, so we changed it.

"Unfortunately, he had to come out of the side. It was a tough decision, but it proved successful.

"He's been fantastic while he has been out. He was disappointed but he has worked hard, come back into the side and he's playing as well as ever.

"He wasn't happy, but his response has been perfect.

"He's creating chances and proving a big asset. He needs to score goals like everyone else and the responsibility is always on his shoulders.''

Boro visit Kevin Keegan's Manchester City tomorrow in the wake of their shock exit from the UEFA Cup to Polish minnows Groclin.

McClaren knows his side could face a backlash, but is hoping for a repeat of the result he achieved as Manchester United's acting boss in the derby at Maine Road three years ago.

He said: "It brings back memories of when Sir Alex Ferguson had to go to a wedding in South Africa and I had to take over for the day.

"It was the most nerve-wracking day of my life, but we won 1-0. I'm looking forward to going to City's new stadium because it looks a fantastic stage.''

Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer is targeting a fifth successive clean sheet, which would be the club's best defensive run in the top flight since 1975 under Jack Charlton.

Schwarzer said: "Our defending was very bad early in the season, so we discussed it.

"The decision was the whole team had to make sure we were defending as a unit. Now that is happening, everyone is doing their jobs.

"We'll need to against City. They have players like Nicolas Anelka who can win a game.''

Australian international Schwarzer is a huge fan of City's former England keeper David Seaman.

"He's a legend and someone I look up to and respect,'' he said.

"He was at the top for so long with Arsenal and England. He's made errors. If he keeps going he will defy the critics, but I won't be playing when I'm 40.''

l Steve McClaren has admitted his amazement that it has taken predecessor Bryan Robson so long to get back into football.

Former England captain Robson this week landed the Bradford City job after nearly two-and-a-half years in the managerial wilderness.

McClaren said: "I'm very surprised that Bryan has been out of the game this long.

"He did a fantastic job here over seven years.

"He had his ups and downs, but he put Middlesbrough on the map and made some great signings. It's nice to see him back in football. Colin Todd is with him there and I wish them all the best.''

l Manchester City need to rediscover the self-belief they had at the beginning of the season.

That is the verdict of midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips ahead of the match against Middlesbrough tomorrow.

City go into the game hardly in the best frame of mind after seeing their European adventure come to a sudden halt on Thursday.

They failed to score for the third match running and in the process were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Polish side Groclin.

City have gone off the boil after a bright start, leaving Wright-Phillips to voice his concern.

''The best way we can get over it (the UEFA Cup exit) is to come back with a bang against Middlesbrough,'' he said.

''We have got to get back to the way we can play in the Premier League and start our season off again.

"If we do that I am sure there will be plenty of good days ahead."