Football: Juninho may return

BRYAN ROBSON, the Middlesborough manager, is trying to bring Juninho back to the Riverside Stadium from the Spanish club Atletico Madrid, writes Alan Nixon.

Robson is in advanced negotiations with the Spanish club for the Brazilian midfield player who left Teeside when Boro were relegated from the Premier League.

Juninho, who only left to boost his chances of World Cup selection, failed to make France 98 because of a broken leg.

Robson, whose ambitious chairman Steve Gibson has at his disposal the pounds 6m it would need to bring him "home', feels Juninho's affection for the area would tempt him to return, possibly by next week.