City reserves provide the opposition tonight as Juninho plays his first game of the season in Middlesbrough colours.

The diminutive Brazilian genius is named in the Boro side for the second-string encounter with the Bantams.

It will be his first action since shattering cruciate ligaments during a pre-season friendly.

The super-strength Boro side is also due to include Ugo Ehiogu, back from long-term injury, Italian striker Massimo Macc-arone and new signing Doriva.

City, in contrast, will throw in a team full of rookies. Andy Myers, recovering from his double hernia operation, and out-of-favour Juanjo are the only players with first-team experience.

With the home fans clamouring for a glimpse of Juninho, the game has been switched from Billingham, the usual home for Boro reserves, to the River-side.

Myers steps up his comeback after playing the first half against Birmingham reserves on Thursday. The current player of the year has not featured for the senior side since before Christmas.

Goalkeeper Neil Bennett, on the bench at Highfield Road, plays his second game and could be in for a busy evening.

Meanwhile, City top scorer Andy Gray has a big night of his own as part of Scotland's Future squad in Turkey.

Gray, who hit his 12th goal of the season at Coventry on Saturday, will be hoping to feature in some part of the friendly in Antalya.

Bertie Vogts' plans to look at fringe players has been hammered after 12 of the original 19 men named then withdrew from the squad. There are also no players from Rangers or Celtic as they prepare for back-toback Old Firm derbies.

Vogts, who admits he knows little about Gray's progress so far, said: "This game will still be a valuable opportunity to study some of the less regular members of the squad."

CITY RESERVES (from): Bennett, Brodie, Myers, Simpkins, Wright, Fishlock, Lee, Juanjo, Ekoku, Bentham, Sanasy, Morgan, Danks, Beach, Penford.