Egaleo v Middlesbrough: Middlesbrough are expected to select their first-choice forward line of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and the fit-again Mark Viduka when they face Greek club Egaleo this evening.

Viduka, who recovered from a hip injury to take his place in the squad for the first game of Group E, is keen to start and the manager Steve McClaren has hinted he may reunite him with the in-form Hasselbaink, who scored three in their win at Blackburn.

"Mark's seriously in my plans. He's had a bit of a hip problem and hasn't trained much but he wants to play," McClaren said.

Hasselbaink and Viduka have scored 12 goals between them already this season. "We brought them to the club because we needed goals and they have provided that. Jimmy in particular is hitting top form," McClaren added.

The Boro manager said he has been studying videos of Egaleo but admits they are an unknown quantity although they are unbeaten in four league games. "They're hard-working, organised, and will be hard to beat," he added. "Any trip to Greece is always going to be difficult."

The manager is also excited by the UEFA Cup's new format, one which guarantees teams at least four matches and helps add to their experience in Europe.

"One of the most pleasing things is in the last match against Banik (Ostrava) we blooded some youngsters and I've got every faith and trust in the younger players to come in and do a job," he said. "The squad is looking a lot more healthy and I know any team we put out will be strong enough to win the game. Plus we've also got a good bench and that's what you have to do when you're in Europe."