ARGENTINIAN midfielder Carlos Marinelli is pushing for a first-team recall at Middlesbrough following the shattering loss of fractured skull victim Joseph Job.

Marinelli has so far failed to fulfil the prophecies which greeted his £1.5m arrival from Boca Juniors three years ago.

The 20-year-old has been unable to secure a permanent place under the managerial regimes of Bryan Robson and current boss Steve McClaren.

But with Cameroon international Job almost certainly out for a month after suffering a sickening injury in the 1-0 defeat at West Brom a week ago, Marinelli is in contention to fill the role in the 'hole' behind the front two.

Szilard Nemeth and Noel Whelan are vying with Marinelli as McClaren weighs up whether to stick with a formation that has served him well this season, or revert to a more conventional 4-4-2 system.

Marinelli started Boro's first three games this season, but has since made just a handful of appearances as a substitute in the Premiership.

His only two subsequent starts have come in the Worthington Cup, the last being in the 3-1 defeat at Ipswich on November 6.

McClaren refused to be drawn on his plans for today's home game against crisis-torn bottom club West Ham.

But he hinted that Marinelli is in the hunt for selection. "We have the personnel to keep the same system if we want to,'' said McClaren, who insists he is in no rush to recall Dean Windass from his loan spell with Sheffield United.

McClaren was the first choice of the West Ham board to replace Harry Redknapp before electing to take charge at the Riverside 18 months ago.

Glenn Roeder was given the job at Upton Park and McClaren is backing the former Newcastle skipper to arrest the Hammers' dramatic slide.

"I feel some sympathy for Glenn because we were in this sort of situation in the league last season,'' said McClaren.

"Glenn did a fantastic job then. West Ham finished seventh with a terrific home record.

"This year, they haven't won at home; I think they've been a bit unfortunate with injuries.

"But West Ham are a very good club, who very rarely change their manager, and I'm sure they'll give Glenn as much time as possible to turn it around because I think that's what he'll do.

"I believe West Ham are very dangerous opponents, especially after their home defeat by Southampton on Monday.

"They'll fight for everything and I hope we will as well after our defeat by West Brom. We'll be like two wounded animals - and it'll be one hell of a fight!''

The form of Hammers midfielder Joe Cole, who McClaren worked with in the England set-up, has fallen short of expectations.

But McClaren stressed: "I'm sure he will eventually fulfil his potential. He's young and he's bound to have ups and downs.

"But he's a delight to work with and a great talent. He had a tremendous game on Monday and took responsibility. I know that eventually he will come through and be a very good player.''

Boro, who in contrast to the Hammers have won six and drawn two of their eight Premiership games at the Riverside this season, are enjoying their best home start to a top-flight campaign for 90 years.

That impressive record has been reflected in the crowds who have flocked back to the Riverside.

"People show us respect at home and know they have to play very well to get anything here,'' said McClaren. "We believe we can beat anybody. The crowds have come back this season, which is a good indicator of how we're doing. Last season, when we played Manchester United in the FA Cup, we had 17,000 here, but now we're getting sell-out crowds.

"The Man. United game here on Boxing Day has been sold out for weeks.

"Home records are important, but we have to make sure we don't slip up this weekend.

"And we have to prove that we can go away and grind out results. We have to improve our away record if we're ever going to get into Europe - or anywhere near.

"I was disappointed at West Brom last week. It's not often I have had to berate the players. We have to try to get that result out of our systems.''

Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has recovered from a hand injury and keeps his place. Mark Crossley was this week recalled from his loan at Stoke as a precaution.

West Ham are without skipper Paolo di Canio, who has undergone a knee operation, while striker Frederic Kanoute is still out with a groin injury.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.