Juninho is getting involved in full contact training, and has shown no adverse reaction to last summer's cruciate knee ligament operation. Now he could be in line for a return to competitive action next month. But while the signs are good, Steve Harrison won't be rushing anything and will wait till Juno is 100% fit before risking him.
"We won't be rushing him. We'll continue to take things gradually and monitor his progress.The big thing at the moment is that Juninho is doing well and we know that eventually he is going to increase the competition for places."
Boro fans will be hoping that this will be sooner rather than later and some have even got hope of him making his return against the Geordies in the re-arranged fixture.