RAY Parlour is expected to make only his third European start of the season when Middlesbrough take on Sevilla in Eindhoven's Philips Stadion tonight.

The former England international, who has finished on the losing side in two European finals with his former club Arsenal, has edged ahead of James Morrison in the race to fill the right-midfield slot in Steve McClaren's anticipated 4-4-2 formation.

And, while the Boro boss was relieved to see goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer prove his fitness in yesterday evening's training session, he will need to meet referee Herbert Fandel this afternoon before the Australian is given permission to play in a protective face mask.

Schwarzer fractured a cheekbone in last month's FA Cup semi-final defeat to West Ham, an injury that initially looked like ruling him out of this evening's UEFA Cup final.

Physio Grant Downey has overseen a period of rest that enabled the 33-year-old to return to light training last week, but only with the assistance of a mask to shield the part of his cheekbone that was worst affected by the collision with Hammers striker Dean Ashton.

Players are only allowed to wear such protection in a competitive fixture with the permission of the match referee and McClaren will meet Fandel before kick-off in an attempt to get the green light for Schwarzer's participation.

"The mask has to be put before the referee," confirmed the Boro boss. "Hopefully, he will be allowed to wear it in the game."

A fortnight ago, Schwarzer's presence in the starting line-up would have been a major surprise, but it would still have been nothing compared to the shock elevation of Parlour.

The 33-year-old, who has not started a UEFA Cup game since the 2-0 defeat in Basle in late March, has only made 19 first-team appearances all season.

However, he was a late withdrawal from the squad that travelled to Fulham last weekend and McClaren is expected to favour his experience and reliability over Morrison's exuberance tonight.

The Boro boss had been expected to name a 5-3-2 formation and stick with the XI that started the FA Cup semi-final defeat, save for Mark Viduka's inclusion up front at the expense of Aiyegbeni Yakubu.

But, with teenage full-back Andrew Taylor having started last weekend's defeat at Fulham, that now appears unlikely.

McClaren expressly stated that none of the youngsters who played so well at Craven Cottage would be involved in the starting line-up against Sevilla, also ruling out Morrison.

The future England manager has been known to indulge in some selection mind games in the past, but sources close to the Boro camp suggest this is one occasion on which he will stick to his script.

That means Parlour lining up alongside George Boateng, Fabio Rochemback and Stewart Downing in a midfield formulated with an eye to security as much as attack.

Sevilla boss Juande Ramos has also made a late alteration to his starting line-up, with former Tottenham and West Ham striker Fredi Kanoute expected to miss out because of injury. His place will be taken by Luis Fabiano, with Argentinian livewire Javier Saviola handed a free role behind the Brazilian striker