MISFIRING Massimo Maccarone is expecting to be dropped at Arsenal tomorrow - but could yet be handed a reprieve thanks to Middlesbrough's striker crisis.

The Italian front-man - without a goal in ten Premiership matches - is understood to have been told that he will be rested at Highbury.

But Maccarone could still find himself in the starting line-up against the Gunners following injuries to three forwards competing for his place.

Noel Whelan (groin) and Szilard Nemeth (calf) both picked up niggles in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea last week; and Joseph-Desire Job only returned to training on Monday after fracturing his skull in the game with West Brom on November 30.

Regardless of whether Maccarone does figure against the Premiership leaders, Boro boss Steve McClaren is convinced his record signing will respond well to being rested.

"I think there would always be a time when Massimo or any other player needs to take a rest," said McClaren, who paid £8.15m for the player in the summer.

"We never thought that when we signed him he would play all 38 games of the season and be a revelation in all of them.

"But what we are pleased with is that everybody has already seen the potential, everybody has seen what he is capable of because of his explosive start over here.

"He has had a bit of a dip, we expected him to do that because he is only young, and this is another test of his character now.

"It's a test just as it was a test for him to come over to this country and play. He has shown he can do that and now he must show he can bounce back.

"I've been pleased with his reaction this week, just as I have been in previous weeks when he has not scored."

If Maccarone, who was hauled off at half time during the clash with Chelsea, does retain his place then he could line up alongside forgotten man Dean Windass.

The 33-year-old has returned from a successful one-month loan deal at Sheffield United and has been pitched straight into contention for the Arsenal clash.

Windass, who scored three goals during his Bramall Lane stint, could play in the hole behind the front-two - providing Job does not recover in time - and McClaren admits he expects the former Bradford man to figure over the next four festive games.

"Deano wasn't fit and we thought it was a good idea to let him go out on loan and give him a month away from the club," said the Riverside chief. "He has got his match fitness back, he has scored a few goals and we need him over this Christmas period. He has got a good chance of playing a part."

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