Middlesbrough are ready to revive their interest in Juninho if he is forced out of Brazilian football in the summer.

The little midfielder has already rejected one approach from Boro, made just before last month's transfer deadline, because he is happy with Rio club Vasco da Gama, where he is on loan.

And he believes it is essential to stay in Brazil if he is to keep his place in the national side for next year's World Cup finals.

But Vasco are facing a financial crisis as well as an investigation into their affairs, which could mean he has to leave.

The 27-year-old would have to return to Atletico Madrid, unless another Brazilian club comes up with the £6m transfer fee the Spaniards are demanding.

Boro's advantage is that they can offer a contract that Brazilian clubs might find it difficult to match.

But Juninho insisted his first choice is to stay at home: "That's what I want because things are going well for me here," he said.

"The big bonus about being here is that everybody can see how you're playing and the national coach can check your progress.

"That did not happen at Middlesbrough. English football is not well regarded in Brazil, people asked why I was playing for a small club, and I lost my place in the team.

"I want to stay in Brazil if I can and I don't want to return to Atletico."

Boro's interest in the player voted the club's number one by fans has been rekindled by his outstanding form which earned a return to the national side last September.

His second spell at Boro, on loan, last season was a failure, with suggestions that he was less effective because of a bad ankle injury incurred with Atletico that forced him out of France 98.

But Vasco have won the Brazilian Cup and League and Juninho is now an automatic choice for his country - and he had a message for anyone in England who thought his best days were over.

"If people there think I'm not the same player they should come and watch Vasco, that would change their thinking," he said.

"When I went back to Middlesbrough last season it was not the injury, they were not same team as the first time. One player can't win a game on his own, that was the problem. And I was not played in my best position.

"Going to England the first time was not a mistake, though. I went because I believed in what Middlesbrough were offering, I'm not talking about money but their plans to become a big team.

"Unfortunately it didn't happen, though not through any lack of effort on the part of the people there.

"Even so, we played good football and reached two cup finals, though we were relegated.

"It did get me noticed in Europe, though, and I moved to Atletico for a big fee at the time. Now, Middlesbrough are better known because of that time."

Meanwhile, Ugo Ehiogu will return at Arsenal on Saturday after playing for 75 minutes in a warm-up for the reserves against Leeds. The £8m defender has been out for seven weeks, serving a four-match suspension. Paul Ince will also be back at Highbury after finishing a ban.

Boro's Curtis Fleming and Keith O'Neill have been called up into the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifier with Andorra on April 25.

Newcastle's Shay Given and Sunderland duo Niall Quinn and Kevin Kilbane are also in