SLOVAKIA striker Szilard Nemeth is in line to make his Middlesbrough debut at Everton tomorrow as his new club prepare for a compensation battle with Inter Bratislava.

Boro boss Steve McClaren yesterday revealed that Nemeth, snapped up near the end of last season by the Bryan Robson regime, could start alongside Alen Boksic at Goodison Park.

Nemeth, who underwent a hernia operation nearly six weeks ago, proved his fitness in a behind-closed-doors reserve outing on Wednesday when he scored twice.

Now McClaren, whose managerial career has begun with two defeats and no goals, is anxious to pitch the 24-year-old frontman into Premiership action.

Boro beat off competition from rivals Sunderland to land Nemeth, but face the prospect of going to a UEFA tribunal to learn how much they must pay for his signature, after having what was believed to be a £500,000 offer rejected by Inter.

Nemeth was out of contract this summer, but as a non-EU national was not free to move under the Bosman ruling.

Inter rate Nemeth at around £3m, but a Boro spokesman said: "We made an offer to Bratislava that we thought was reasonable. They didn't accept that offer and they haven't come back to us since, so the ball is in their court.''

Nemeth, leading scorer in Slovakia in the last two seasons with more than 40 goals, was signed on the recommendation of former boss Robson and head coach Terry Venables.

And McClaren has been quick to back their judgement. "I've been very impressed with Szilard,'' said McClaren. "He played in the reserves and came through fine, so he might start on Saturday.

"It'll be a major boost if he does. He's a very elusive kind of player. He's clever and can link up play, and is always looking to get in the box and score goals.

"I didn't know much about him, but I've watched him on video. I know Bryan and Terry went to watch him, and I think that's as good a recommendation as any.''

Croatia international Boksic missed Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Bolton with a calf injury sustained in the 4-0 opening-day setback at home to Arsenal.

But McClaren confirmed: "Alen has come through a little training session and we're hopeful he'll play at Everton. I would rate his chances at 80-20. He's a world-class striker. He was leading scorer last season with 12 goals and he's vital to us.''

McClaren expects central defender Gianluca Festa (hernia), left-back Dean Gordon (thigh) and utility man Noel Whelan (foot), to be fit for the derby visit of Newcastle a fortnight on Saturday.

* Boro duo Mark Wilson and Jonathan Greening are set to be named in David Platt's squad for the England under-21 game with Albania at the Riverside on September 4. Platt will unveil his squad at the Riverside this afternoon.

Tickets are available from the Riverside ticket office (01642 877745), priced at £5 adults and £1 concessions.

Read more about the Boro here.