AN injury to Gaizka Mendieta could mean a late reprieve for out-of-sorts Middlesbrough midfielder Juninho.

Boro boss Steve McClaren had warned this week he was preparing to wield the axe for tomorrow's clash with Everton - even if it was going to prove unpopular with the Riverside faithful.

And fans' favourite Juninho, replaced during the dreadful 2-0 defeat at Bolton seven days ago, was expected to be the major casualty following the club's depressing start to the campaign.

However, Mendieta did not train at Rockliffe Park yesterday after picking up a knock on his calf and he is doubtful for the match with the Toffees.

The Spaniard's absence could mean a starting berth for Juninho, who trudged straight down tunnel at the Reebok Stadium last weekend after his game was brought to a premature end by McClaren.

The Boro chief refused to be drawn on his team selection ahead of tomorrow's match, but he insisted he will not be afraid to make controversial decisions.

"A lot has been said about Juninho and other players but it's about the team, not just one player," said McClaren, who also has Chris Riggott, Malcolm Christie and Franck Queudrue available again.

"We concentrate entirely on the team. If we are not happy with a player's performance, no matter who he is, he has no right to be in the team.

"Juninho has not been happy with the way things have gone, just like everybody else."

The defeat to Bolton was Boro's fourth in five Premiership games this season, a slump which has seen them drop to second from bottom.

That poor run of form has led to McClaren openly criticising his players, something not normally associated with the former Manchester United No 2.

And McClaren, whose side have now just one win in 11 games, said: "I have always protected the team in the past. The expectations have been a little bit higher this time. We have not performed up to the standard which I have wanted.

"Whenever the team has performed like at Bolton, I can assure you that, no matter how I've appeared to have been, I've never been happy about losing matches.

"I think this week has called for a bit of honesty from everybody. For the fans as much as anybody else."

Despite the pressure mounting on Boro to turn things around quickly, McClaren feels the need to succeed is as strong as it ever has been.

"There have been many testing times in management. Not one time is more testing than the other," he said. "Every team, every player and every manager will go through periods of not winning matches. It's how you react to that and come out of that, that everybody will look at."

Perhaps the last person Boro, in their current run, could do with facing at the Riverside is Everton wonderboy Wayne Rooney.

And both McClaren and Dutch winger Bolo Zenden are full of admiration for England's teenage striker.

"I think it's a little exaggeration to say he's the best young player in the world but he has made a terrific impact and he has the ability," said McClaren.

"He has the physical presence and the temperament to go with it."

Zenden said: "He's a great player, he's still young but with what he has already achieved, what can you say?

"He's a big player, he's dangerous and can always score.

"It's an advantage for them having a player like him.

"We have to take care of a player with the qualities of Rooney, but we have the whole of their team to play against."