JUNINHO has set his sights on beating his best seasonal goal haul for Middlesbrough.

The mercurial Brazilian bagged 15 goals seven years ago during his first spell at the Riverside.

Last season he hit three in only ten appearances after returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament which kept him sidelined for over six months.

The World Cup winner, who has spent the past week in Spain at Boro's training camp on the Costa del Sol, makes his first pre-season appearance at Hull tomorrow.

"I'm not 100 per cent yet, but there's nearly a month to go to the start of the season and there's enough time for me to get properly fit,'' said Juninho.

"I was never really fit last season, even though I did come back and play, but I expect to be 100 per cent for the kick-off.

"When I came back last season I was getting three or four opportunities in a game and missing some, but I was not 100 per cent.

"Now I will be fit, but I still have to concentrate on my finishing. When the opportunities come, I hope to put the ball in the net.

"My best form for Middlesbrough was when we reached two cup finals. We were relegated that season, but I scored goals then and I want to score more this time.''

Juninho believes manager Steve McClaren is deploying him in a more effective role to the one he performed under former boss Bryan Robson.

"I am the type of player who can make chances but get there to score them, too,'' said Juninho.

"I like to play near the opposition goal and the manager wants me to do that. He plays me in my best position, behind the strikers, and that has not always happened to me here.

"He does not put players in wrong positions, like right-footed players on the left. It is better for the player and the team.

"I like to play in this team and I think we will create chances and score goals."

McClaren looks to be closing in on his second summer signing after this week tying up Brazilian midfielder Doriva on a free transfer from Celta Vigo.

Fellow countryman Flavio Conceicao yesterday hinted he is ready to join Boro on a one-year loan from Real Madrid.

The midfielder, left out of Real's squad for their tour of Asia, is now said to be back in Madrid after returning from holiday.

"There are still one or two details to sort out, but I now have the idea of playing in England next season,'' he said.

Boro, meanwhile, were yesterday linked with yet another Brazilian - freed Sunderland centre-back Emerson Thome.

Injury-plagued Thome, who underwent three knee operations in the space of 12 months, has seen a proposed move to Rangers fall through following a trial.

Thome, attracting interest from three Premiership clubs, said: "I have other options, but I thought I did enough to show Rangers what I would bring to them.''

Thome's representative, Tony Henry, confirmed: "There's interest from three Premiership clubs and I'm sure we'll get something because he's a good player.''

Boro have lost centre-back Ugo Ehiogu for several months with a cruciate injury and McClaren may be looking to bring in cover.

But the Boro boss has stressed that his priority is strengthening his midfield.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.