Here's our guide to the best of tonight's TV.

In Irish football’s roll call of arch-villains, he might be more Toto Schillaci than Thierry Henry, but as the man whose penalty finally did for Mick McCarthy’s team in that epic match in Suwon at the 2002 World Cup, Gaizka Mendieta always carries an extra little bit of baggage with him whenever he touches down at Dublin Airport. 

Gaizka Mendieta is the man who broke Irish hearts at the the 2002 World Cup, his spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out bringing to an end a marathon battle in Suwon, South Korea.

The way the Republic of Ireland play under Giovanni Trapattoni is ideally suited to causing problems for Spain at the European Championship finals.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is close to making a breakthrough in his search for new players.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed his interest in Paris St Germain midfielder Didier Digard.

Middlesbrough have confirmed midfielder Fabio Rochemback will not be offered a new contract.

Forgotten man Gaizka Mendieta could pull on a Middlesbrough shirt once again for the reserves tonight.

Middlesbrough midfielder Gaizka Mendieta could still leave Teesside before the end of the season, according to Boro manager Gareth Southgate.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate welcomes back James Morrison and Abel Xavier for tomorrow’s crucial Barclays Premiership match against fellow strugglers Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Andrew Johnson was again at the centre of a controversial penalty claim as Everton were left bitterly frustrated by Barclays Premiership strugglers Middlesbrough and referee Phil Dowd.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate handed Jonathan Woodgate a home debut as he recalled his big guns.

Manchester City’s miserable start to the season plumbed new depths as Chesterfield dumped them out of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 victory at Saltergate tonight.

Middlesbrough 0 Portsmouth 4

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is confident England winger Stewart Downing will be fit for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership opener at Reading.

Middlesbrough midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has returned to light training but will not be fit for the start of the season as he recovers from a broken foot.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren headed for Eindhoven today with his squad boasting a clean bill of health ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Cup final.

Middlesbrough skipper Gareth Southgate and striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink are major doubts for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash against Everton.

Steaua Bucharest 1 Middlesbrough 0

Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka has a thigh strain and will miss the UEFA Cup semi-final first-leg clash with Steaua Bucharest in Romania.

Middlesbrough will be without centre-back Chris Riggott for tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup semi-final first-leg clash with Steaua Bucharest in Romania.

Franck Queudrue has returned to training after a head injury and is in contention for Middlesbrough’s clash against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue is a doubt for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership clash with Newcastle after last night’s heroic UEFA Cup fightback against Basle.

Basle 2 Middlesbrough 0

Makeshift midfielder Stuart Parnaby stole the headlines as Middlesbrough edged a seven-goal thriller to dent Bolton’s hopes of European qualification.

Charlton 0 Middlesbrough 0

Charlton 0 Middlesbrough 0

Middlesbrough 1 Roma 0

Middlesbrough 1 Roma 0

West Brom 0 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough 0 Stuttgart 1 (2-2 on aggregate, Middlesbrough win on away goals)

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren will make a late decision on midfielder George Boateng ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round trip to Preston.

Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka will again be missing from the squad for tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup clash with Stuttgart in Germany through illness.

Middlesbrough 3 Chelsea 0

The future of Mick McCarty’s Sunderland as a Premiership side looked dead and buried tonight, as Middlesbrough secured a convincing victory over their north-east rivals at the Stadium of Light.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could return to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round trip to Coventry with deputy Brad Jones struggling.

Non-league Nuneaton scored a last-gasp penalty to earn a replay against Premiership visitors Middlesbrough after a 1-1 draw in the third round of the FA Cup.

Nuneaton 1 Middlesbrough 1

Nuneaton 0 Middlesbrough 1

Newcastle 2 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren’s injury problems have increased further ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester City after midfielder Fabio Rochemback was ruled out of the next two games with a calf problem.

Middlesbrough 0 Blackburn 2

Middlesbrough 0 Blackburn 2

Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng will miss the Barclays Premiership clash with Blackburn on Boxing day after being told he could be sidelined for up to eight weeks by an ankle ligament injury.