THE American surgeon who operated on Juninho's damaged knee has assured Middlesbrough the Brazilian star will be back in rapid time.

Doctor James Andrews carried out surgery at his Birmingham, Alabama, clinic ten days ago to repair the anterior cruciate ligament Juninho tore in two against Modena in a pre-season tournament in Italy.

The 29-year-old midfielder has begun rehabilitation at Boro's Rockliffe Park training base under the watchful eye of senior physio Bob Ward, and has already been given an indication of when he is likely to return to action.

That remains a closely-guarded secret but, despite warnings last week from Brazilian surgeon Pablo Paes that Boro shouldn't expect Juninho back before Easter, the Teessiders now hope he could be fit some time in the new year.

Dr Andrews certainly gave Boro reason for optimism when he said: "It is a major injury, but this man will recover fast and we're hoping for a quicker than usual recovery.''

Juninho, who joined Boro for the third time when he made a £4m return from Atletico Madrid last month, underwent a delicate procedure which involved a piece of his kneecap tendon being grafted to replace his anterior cruciate ligament.

Speaking to Boro's official website, Juninho said: "They have given me an idea of how long it will take before I am back - but we'll see if I get back before then!

"I worked hard when I broke my ankle (in 1998) and was back in three months. I know this is different, but I will work hard again and we will see.''

Dr Andrews had performed similar operations on Brazilian legends Zico and Falcao, and Juninho added: "He was probably the best doctor to do the operation.''

Meanwhile, Boro hope to tie up the signing of Australia defender Tony Vidmar next week.

Manager Steve McClaren had expected the former Rangers man to put pen to paper immediately after Boro's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Tuesday.

But with the Boro boss having taken up his coaching role with England for today's friendly against Portugal, the deal has gone on hold.

Vidmar, 32, was released by Rangers in the summer and has been training with Boro for three weeks.

McClaren explained: "There is a special dispensation after the transfer window closes for all players whose contracts ran out at the end of last season and who haven't got fixed up with another club.

"That's only fair because if a footballer is out of work, he has to be able to join another club otherwise it's restraint of trade.

"Tony has been with us for about three weeks. He can play right along the back and because we lost Gianluca Festa to Portsmouth, we were always looking for someone, especially with the transfer window closing until January.

"We just feel we need an extra defender as cover and Tony can play at right-back, left-back or centre-back.

"He's got good experience with 78 caps for Australia and five years with Rangers playing in the Champions' League.''

* The Football League yesterday warned they expect ''a lot of clubs'' over the next two years to face the wage crisis which has affected Derby County this week.

The cash turmoil at Pride Park was finally resolved yesterday when the Rams' players and footballing staff were paid their salaries for August.

The League and the Professional Footballers' Association have monitored events at Derby closely in the past few days, with this latest dispute flaring so soon after Bradford narrowly avoided going out of business in the summer.

But the League have made it clear the problems which have affected Derby and Bradford are merely the tip of the iceberg.

''The Football League are aware that there are a lot of clubs who are facing a cash shortfall,'' stated the spokesman.

''The collapse of ITV Digital means that First Division clubs are £2m light.