McClaren satisfied with Mendieta bow

The 29-year-old only received international clearance from FIFA hours before kick-off following his switch from Italian giants Lazio.

And Mendieta could not have had a more competitive baptism of fire against Premiership new-boys Leicester, who are determined to prove they will not be the whipping boys of the season and earned a goalless draw.

The world-class midfielder, given a rousing reception from the travelling supporters, may not have enjoyed quite the impact he would have liked on his first outing on English soil for his new club.

But he helped Boro, who have pulled out of a move for Fulham's Sean Davis after he failed a medial at Everton - the midfielder's preferred choice after both clubs agreed a fee with Fulham - claim their first point of the new campaign at a ground where Micky Adams' side have not lost since Boxing Day.

Mendieta was the most likely Boro player to score - he had four efforts go close - but his new employers are still searching for their first away victory since March.

However, the Teessiders, who face Leeds on Saturday, finally brought an end to a five match losing streak on their travels.

While there was good news on the Mendieta front, Danny Mills had to watch from the stands at the Walkers Stadium.

Much to the annoyance of Boro, Mills was not given permission from the Premier League to make his debut as he was not signed before the 5pm deadline on Friday.

Manager McClaren was delighted with Mendieta's debut, he said: "I thought he was fantastic. It was welcome to the Premier League for him. It was tough form, but he showed great quality out there, his attitude and workrate was brilliant and he can only get better.

"He is prepared to take shots from distance. We heard at four o'clock he could play and we also tried to get Danny Mills through.

"So it was a change of plan and we had to revert to Plan C after A and B went out of the window. But they are the rules and you have to abide by them.''

He added: "I think the reaction after Sunday was magnificent. It was two games in 48 hours but when you look at in the cold day of light we played Arsenal with a depleted squad.

"Tonight we had a few players back and that was more like it. In the first two games we were in the trenches but we have never paniced and credit to the players.

"We want to bring another player in and hopefully it will not be a frustrating week.''

The absence of Mills meant Stuart Parnaby was handed another chance at right-back despite a disappointing performance against the mighty Arsenal on Sunday.

Parnaby was the fortunate one, as McClaren got ruthless after a dreadful start to the campaign, which had seen the Teessiders lose their opening two fixtures to Fulham and the Gunners.

Out went Doriva, Alan Wright and Malcolm Christie and in came Mendieta, Jonathan Greening and Joseph Job.

Centre-back Chris Riggott was also ruled out with a back injury and Billingham's Andrew Davies was handed only his second Premiership start.

Leicester made just one change to the side which lost narrowly at big-spending Chelsea. Former Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie replaced Andy Impey.

The Foxes made the livlier start and intended to make Mendieta's bow a difficult one.

And it was Adams' men that had the best two chances in the opening stages.

Former Nottingham Forest man Riccardo Scimeca curled a 25-yard free-kick over the bar and then ex-Boro target Muzzy Izzet went close.

Izzet turned down the chance to sign for the Riverside club in March last year. The clubs agreed a fee, but the Turkish international opted to stay at City.

And the attacking midfielder showed exactly why he was a wanted man when he burst into the box and his volley brought a superb save from Mark Schwarzer, after some good link up play involving Paul Dickov and James Scowcroft.

The home side enjoyed more of the play in the first half, but Boro had opportunities to take the lead - the best of which fell to Mendieta.

Firstly, Spain's blonde World Cup star took a touch to receive Juninho's short pass before unleashing a fierce drive from distance which just flew over Ian Walker's crossbar.

And then the Leicester goalkeeeper got down at his near post to save Mendieta's low right foot shot.

Sandwiched in between Boro's best two first-half efforts, ex-Manchester City star Dickov very nearly caught out Schwarzer with an acrobatic overhead kick which failed to find the target.

The best move of the opening half saw Izzet, Scimeca, Dickov and Alan Rogers combine but the latter's left foot shot failed to provide the goal the flowing play deserved.

Just before the interval Boro could have made the hosts pay. Both Juninho, who shot wide when Mendieta was unmarked at the back post, and then the lively Job, who failed to trouble Walker from a difficult angle, wasted openings.

Boro skipper Gareth Southgate had called for his teammates to show more 'fighting spirit' after the 4-0 hammering by Arsenal.

His wish was not entirely granted last night, although there were signs of improvement against a Leicester side who should cause a few teams problems this season.

Boro had to withstand an early second-half onslaught but time after time Leicester struggled to get someone on the end of some good crosses.

The best of which was a centre from Gillespie, but first Dickov and then a host of other bodies failed to turn the cross goalwards.

Impressive full-back Rogers had a delicate lob trickle wide but it seemed it was just not going to be Leicester's night.

And their frustration in front of goal was nearly compounded when Mendieta, playing right of a midfield three, cut inside and struck a dipping volley just over Walker's goal.

Schwarzer made a fine point blank save from Dickov in the six yard box and it was the ex-Arsenal man's final contibution as he was replaced with former Riverside hero Craig Hignett ten minutes from time.