BRAZILIAN striker Christian was yesterday revealed as one of Middlesbrough's top targets but have denied making a move for Manchester United star Teddy Sheringham.

Boro have watched the £6m-rated Paris St Germain striker twice recently and Terry Venables admitted: "We have looked at him and he is a good player."

Boro are already checking Christian's passport and work permit status and could make an offer when the transfer market uncertainty is removed.

The 25-year-old has scored 24 goals this season and club representatives are set to watch him again, as exclusively revealed in the Northern Echo on Saturday.

But Bryan Robson dismissed claims that Boro are ready to offer £5m for Sheringham, who is 35 in April.

Manchester United are set to hand the England striker a new deal and the Boro manager said: "There is no truth in it, I don't know where it's come from."

Robson confirmed, though, a wanted list has been drawn up along with Venables and the club's scouts.

"We've done a lot of work on the people we have in mind. We are determined to bring in the right men to take the squad forward again next season," he added.

"The staff have been all over the place in the past few months. We've looked at a lot of players. They are potential signings before the deadline next month as well as in the summer."

Carlos Marinelli will play his second comeback game for the reserves against Manchester City tonight.

The Argentinian midfielder appeared for 45 minutes for the under-19's at the weekend after two months out with suspension and injury.

Venables had not seen the 18-year-old in competitive action, only in training. But the Boro coach said: "Carlos is a very talented player."

Boro returned to training yesterday with most of their injury doubts removed for the match against Southampton on Saturday.

But Keith O'Neill, who is suspended, and Phil Stamp are still receiving treatment.