Juninho back with Boro

The Brazilian star is yet to play for Boro this season after damaging knee ligaments during a pre-season friendly in Italy.

He is now back at the Teesside club's Rockcliffe Park training ground and has begun training again.

"It's been nearly five months now and things are going well," said Juninho.

"It's hard to talk about time. I'm nearly prepared to come back to training but I have to do some tests and we will see.

"If you come back before time it's a risk for the rest of your career so you have to accept the injury and work to come back as soon as possible.

"It was hard work, when you are injured you have to work more than when you are fit.

"When you are so long without playing and having contact with the ball you become crazy. So you have to be strong mentally."