Premiership: McAteer to make Sunderland debut in Boro game

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren is likely to team up Alen Boksic and Szilard Nemeth in attack, for the game against Sunderland.

But Argentinian teenager Carlos Marinelli is pushing hard for a place in the starting line-up.

Keeper Mark Schwarzer is fit again, after missing the last two games with a groin injury. There could be a home debut for loan signing Franck Queudrue.

Jason McAteer is expected to make his debut for Sunderland at the Riverside.

The £1m signing from Blackburn could replace Kevin Kilbane, after he was ruled out with damaged ankle ligaments.

Record signing Emerson Thome successfully came through a reserve game, after recovering from a cartilage operation, and should return to central defence.

Gavin McCann will return to central midfield after missing last week's game through suspension.

Bernt Haas has resumed training after suffering an ankle injury and comes into contention.