BORO TO UNLEASH `NEW MARADONA`

Marinelli, 17, who was signed from Boca Juniors for £1.5 million is yet to make his first team debut although he has been on the bench for the last two games.

If Boro manager Bryan Robson decides to unleash the `New Maradona` at Hillsborough then he could switch to a 4-3-3 formation which, would include Brazilian ace Juninho.

The prospect of seeing the Argentinian starlet will give the Boro fans some much needed Christmas cheer.

Elsewhere, Robson has been linked with a move for Grimsby Town`s highly-rated full back Danny Butterfield.

Butterfield, 20, has been attracting the attention of quite a few Premiership clubs with Sheffield Wednesday showing the most interest but now Middlesbrough looked to have jumped to the front of the queue as Robson looks for a right sided defender.

The Mariners are not looking to sell but, the financial situation at Blundell Park suggests that they would not be able to refuse any sort of a decent offer.

Graeme Bailey