FOOTBALL legend Pele last night suggested Juninho's failure to come to terms with the English game has cost him a place in the Middlesbrough side.

Axed Juninho has not started a match for Boro since the 2-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers on September 13. His omission has coincided with a recent revival from the Teessiders, who have now won three of their last four matches.

Juninho is now in his third spell at the Riverside, having originally joined in 1995 when Bryan Robson was in charge.

The Samba star's skills made him a firm fans' favourite at Boro, but under boss Steve McClaren he has only shown glimpses of the quality which earned him a World Cup winners medal in 2002.

A serious knee injury severely shortened his first season back in the North-East, but the 30-year-old started this campaign at the peak of his fitness.

Following a disappointing Premiership start by Boro - they were without a win in five matches - McClaren made the unpopular decision to drop the £3.8m signing from Atletico Madrid.

And Brazilian hero Pele insists it is the English style of play that is holding Juninho back this year.

"Juninho is a player I know well," said Pele, during a visit to the North-East.

"I remember when he started off with Sao Paulo and did very well there, he then came to England.

"He was very good in his first season but I remember he was injured a lot after that.

"He has been good for the national side and he helped Brazil in the World Cup.

"I understand he is not playing at the moment. But I think playing in this league is the most difficult league for Brazilian players to adapt to. It's very tough.

"It's easier for players like him from our country to adapt to the Spanish, Italian and French leagues. It's very difficult over here." Boro striker Massimo Maccarone has admitted he is making steady progress in his bid to come back from injury.

The Italian front-man returned to action from ankle ligament injury for the reserves last week and he has now set his sights on a Premiership return.

"I feel very good," said the club record buy.

"I spent a lot of time rehabilitating in Italy with the physio after my injury and I have worked hard with good people since I have come back here."

Meanwhile, Northern Echo SPORT understands that young Boro star Craig Dove is wanted on loan by Third Division side York City. Hartlepool-born Dove, a winger who can also play up front, has failed to break into McClaren's first team plans despite scoring regularly for the reserves side.

l Noel Whelan, on a season-long loan deal at The New Den, has apologised to Millwall teammate Tim Cahill after the pair's on-field scrap at the weekend.

Boro man Whelan and Cahill shoved each other in the middle of the pitch during the Lions' clash with Coventry City.

And the 29-year-old said: "It was a moment of stupidity on my part. My behaviour was unacceptable and unprofessional and not the sort of thing children and any fans should have to see.

"It will not happen again. I have learned my lesson. Tim and I are both passionate people and it was a passionate game. I went too far. I was maybe frustrated at myself because the game was not going according to plan.

"I am apologising in public now because it was not possible to do that on the field. The last thing I wanted to do was upset the fans because they play a big part in my game and Millwall's. I hope they can put it down to passion and I can put it behind me."