WITH Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup campaign starting against a Xanthi side sponsored by much-maligned car manufacturers Skoda, it should be no surprise that Steve McClaren's biggest concern this evening is to guard against his players breaking down.

With eight first-teamers currently ruled out through injury, and recent addition Fabio Rochemback ineligible thanks to a Champions League qualifying round appearance for Sporting Lisbon, the Boro boss has little room for manoeuvre as his side prepare to return to the European stage.

But, with the memory of last season's costly continental hangovers at the forefront of his mind, McClaren will have more than one eye on Sunday's trip to Wigan as he delves into the depths of his squad tonight.

And, while the likes of Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, Chris Riggott, Stuart Parnaby and Szilard Nemeth should all be fit for the return match in Greece in two weeks time, rotation will continue to be the name of the game as Boro look to maintain a credible challenge both at home and abroad.

"This Thursday team has to be picked with a thought for what happens on the following Sunday," admitted McClaren, who has included Jason Kennedy, David Wheater, James Morrison and Matthew Bates in his squad for tonight's game. "We can't play the strongest team we want to play every match.

"The Charlton game proved that. We tried to play pretty much the same team for three games in a week and it didn't work.

"When you're in Europe, you've got to look ahead. You need a squad that's able to cope with three games in a week and you've got to use that squad to your advantage."

While last season's UEFA Cup campaign made Middlesbrough history, it also hindered the club's attempts to break into an elusive top-six spot.

The Teessiders played ten Premiership games on weekends following a European clash and won just one of them. Given their eventual proximity to fourth-placed Everton, it is tempting to think of what might have been.

"We were only six points off the Champions League at the end of last season," explained McClaren. "If we hadn't had the UEFA Cup and won just one game out of ten following our European matches, maybe things would have been different.

"If we'd won a couple more of those ten games, we could have been in the Champions League.

"Obviously what's happened has happened and we would never swap that UEFA Cup campaign for anything, but it's certainly something we're going to have to look at."

This evening's game should provide ample opportunity for a spot of squad shuffling as it pitches Boro against a Xanthi side who finished fourth in last season's Greek Premier Division.

The underdogs, who boast former Middlesbrough midfielder Emerson among their ranks, are still searching for their maiden goal in European competition and should present few obstacles to McClaren's men.

The England number two is taking no chances though - memories of Windsor Park should help him guard against complacency - and cites last year's narrow win in Aigaleo as evidence of the strength of Greek football.

"We learned a lot from last season," he said. "We know that every game in Europe is tough and this one will be no different.

"It will be difficult. We've had them watched a few times and they're a good team.

"There's a definite comparison to be made with last season's opponents, but I think Xanthi are a tougher proposition than Aigaleo.

"They've got three or four Brazilians, so they've got that flair, and anyone expecting an easy game will be in for a surprise."

Massimo Maccarone could also be in for a surprise if he makes a second consecutive start following last weekend's heroics against Arsenal.

The Italian striker looked to be on his way out of the Riverside after spending last season on loan with Serie A strugglers Siena, but has returned to force his way back into McClaren's first-team plans.

"Not many of the fans had seen him when we put him on with 20 minutes left in a pre-season friendly, but the reaction of the crowd was excellent. That proves he had something," said McClaren.

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