JUNINHO is facing up to a heavier dose of bench duty at Middlesbrough than he would expect after becoming the biggest casualty of the club's poor early season form.

The out-of-sorts Brazilian will be among the substitutes for the second match in a row against Brighton in the Carling Cup clash tonight at the Riverside.

It is a massive blow to fans' favourite Juninho, who struggled to spark a lacklustre Boro to life in a winless run that peaked at five games prior to Sunday's victory over Everton.

Boss Steve McClaren got tough with Juninho after only four wins in 15 top-flight matches after the South American returned from a seven- month lay-off on March 1.

Now the former Atletico Madrid star faces a massive fight to re-ignite his Boro career after McClaren opted to scrap the attacking role behind the front-men - a position most suited to Juninho.

The tricky little forward has responded in the right manner to being dropped, although time will tell how he reacts if it is weeks and then months of watching from the sidelines.

McClaren insists there is still room for Juninho in his team - he just has to find him a place.

"Good players can play in any position. Juninho has played in various positions, as have others," said the former Manchester United and England No 2.

"It's a case of us trying to find a system and the personnel to match that system, and vice-versa.

"You can't have enough good players in your squad. Juninho is a very, very good player and he has contributed to the success of this club now and he will continue to do that while he is here.

"I am more than happy to have someone of his ability on the bench to come on and change a game. You need a squad in the Premier League and a squad of good players always helps.

"He has missed one game. I'm sure there are a lot more high-profile players who have missed more games than that.

"When he is playing well and to his strengths he is very valuable to the team. Juninho's response to being on the bench has been very, very good. He has still got that enthusiasm."

Joseph-Desire Job was handed the chance to impress against Everton and he hit the only goal. The Cameroon striker will play alongside Malcolm Christie again this evening, and McClaren revealed the player is now getting his just rewards for hard work.

"His attitude has been tremendous," he said. "He has worked his socks off. He tries to win headers and challenges - that is what the crowd likes.

"Joseph was very quiet until Geremi came and he gained a personality. The lads love him now.

"You always have to feel wanted within a football club and that's what we have tried to do with Joseph."

Crocked striker Massimo Maccarone has returned to training after suffering ankle ligament damage in pre-season.

The Italian has been in rehabilitation in his home land but he is not expected to return to match action for a fortnight.

Midfielder Gaizka Mendieta is also out of tonight's match and he could still be missing for the long trip to Southampton on Saturday with his calf problem.

McClaren said: "Every competition you go into you think this could be it. And we are taking this competition seriously. "We need to follow Sunday's win."