Juninho makes his international comeback on Sunday with Middlesbrough still ready to make a move if the price is right.

The 27-year-old midfielder is in an 18-man Brazil squad for the World Cup qualifier with Bolivia in the Maracana Stadium, his first international recognition for three years.

And Boro have not written off the chance of eventually taking him to the Riverside for the third time.

Juninho moved to Rio-based Vasco da Gama on a 12-month loan from Atletico Madrid after Boro refused to meet the Spanish club's £6m asking price last month.

And manager Bryan Robson said: "It was a good move for Juninho to go back to Brazil.

"The national coach likes to have Brazil-based players in his squad and he will benefit from that.

"We were disappointed not to bring him here from Madrid but we are now monitoring the situation over there."

Boro's transfer fund has been boosted by the £5.5m sale of Christian Ziege to Liverpool.

And, if the current £9m move for Steve McManaman fails, the Boro boss could revive a bid for the Brazilian.

And Boro's interest could be rekindled with McManaman already dismissing the possibility of a switch from Real Madrid to Teesside - and yesterday there was a new twist to the saga in Spain.

It now seems he is on the verge of a recall to the Real squad for their Champions League campaign, after being ignored for every pre-season game, because they fear he may take legal action.

Real were sued by Croatian defender Robert Jarni when they left him out of their Champions League squad in similar circumstances and do not want to be dragged through another legal process.

l Commanding Hartlepool United defender Gary Strodder is relishing a reunion on Saturday.

Strodder returned to the Pool line-up on Monday after sitting out the first four games of the season through suspension.

And against Shrewsbury, he will be up against Chris Freestone - the striker handed a free transfer out of Victoria Park after a meagre record of seven goals in 37 League outings.

"He is a good player and will be coming back with a point to prove,'' Strodder said.

"I think we all know how Chris likes to play, spinning off the defenders and getting onto long balls behind them, but I think that young lads like me should be able to get there first!

"It's been a bit frustrating in the last few weeks when I've been suspended.

"Pre-season wasn't too bad because I was still involved, but when you are training all week and then having to sit in the stands on a Saturday, it's a bit of a drag.''

And Strodder, who is set for his first start of the season following Monday's hour-long substitute appearance, admitted: "The lads have done OK without me, James Sharp and Barry Ferguson have done a great job.

"It was nice to get on early on Monday, rather than coming into a game late on and I got a great reception from the fans.

"We didn't win but on the positive side we created a lot of chances and played some great stuff against a team that is difficult to break down and will probably be up there again at the end of the season.

"I think it was the best we have played for a long time.''

Strodder replaced Sharp on Monday and the non-contract signing played in yesterday's reserve defeat against Chesterfield at Victoria Park as he recovers from a hamstring strain.

Ian Clark also returned to action with a 20-minute substitute appearance after an ankle injury.

Colin West's side had the majority of chances, but Tim Sperrevik, Lee Fitzpatrick and Thomas Tennebo all wasted good opportunities