Viduka recovery gives McClaren strike options

Steve McClaren, the Middlesbrough manager, is boosted by the return to fitness of the striker Mark Viduka as his side begin their Uefa Cup Group E campaign against the Greek side Egaleo tonight.

Steve McClaren, the Middlesbrough manager, is boosted by the return to fitness of the striker Mark Viduka as his side begin their Uefa Cup Group E campaign against the Greek side Egaleo tonight.

The Australian, who missed the Premiership games against Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, has been included in the 19-man squad which left Teesside for Athens yesterday morning. As well as Viduka, McClaren has also added the defender Colin Cooper and the midfielder Doriva to the squad of 16 selected for the 4-0 win at Ewood Park last weekend.

Viduka has forced his way into contention after recovering from a back injury and could resume his striking partnership with in-form Dutchman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who scored a hat-trick against Rovers. Stewart Downing is the most likely to make way.

The French defender Franck Queudrue also misses out through suspension following his red card in the 1-1 first-round second-leg draw with the Czech side Banik Ostrava.

Egaleo, who like Middlesbrough are experiencing their first season of European football, have a full-strength squad for their coach Stéphane Demol to choose from.