MIDDLESBROUGH'S Spanish star Gaizka Mendieta has praised Juninho's patient wait for a first-team recall, but warned he has no divine right to a starting role.

Boro manager Steve McClaren sacrificed the Brazilian's verve and invention less than a month into the season after his side had picked up only one point from their first five games.

McClaren was vindicated as Boro won the next three in all competitions, and Juninho had to settle for a place on the bench.

But now the 30-year-old midfielder is back in favour and forging an understanding with Mendieta. The pair combined to devastating effect in Boro's 2-0 home win over Wolves three weeks ago, when they both scored and Juninho set up Mendieta for the opener with a crafty free-kick.

Mendieta, who joined Boro from Lazio just before the transfer deadline on an initial year's loan ahead of a four-year deal, has scored twice in the last three games and acknowledges Juninho's contribution to the winning run.

Juninho, "very upset'' when he was dropped by McClaren, hopes to keep his place in tomorrow's home game against Liverpool.

McClaren deployed him behind striker Michael Ricketts in the 2-0 victory at Aston Villa a fortnight ago, and the Boro boss is expected to stick with the formation.

Mendieta said: "Everybody knows that Juninho has plenty of quality - he shows it every time.

"But when you are a team, you have a coach who makes the decisions and because there are a lot of other players, you cannot be guaranteed a place.

"Juninho has done very well because, when he wasn't playing, he said nothing and just worked. Now he has his reward. He has shown he is a good player and a good person.''

Mendieta, 29, admits it is vital he and Juninho weigh in with goals. "I'm happy when I score because it's not just the strikers who can score; it's important that anyone scores,'' said Mendieta.

"When you are an attacking midfielder like me, you have to score to get confidence.

"I think we are now a good, balanced team. It's difficult for teams to score against us and we are scoring more ourselves.''

Mendieta maintains that Boro have nothing to fear from Liverpool.

He said: "They are maybe not in their best form right now, but they are still a great team.

"But we can follow on from our good work in recent games and we must not fear them. We are not just playing well, we are winning games, and that's what people want.''

l Colchester United have admitted an interest in Boro forward Jamie Cade, who is currently on loan with Chesterfield.

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