MIDDLESBROUGH manager Aitor Karanka is still to determine who will replace the suspended Adam Clayton against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.

Summer signing Clayton will sit out the Riverside Stadium clash after picking up his fifth booking of the season in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic.

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Now Karanka, whose side sit third in the standings, two points above sixth-placed Rovers, must choose whether to play Dean Whitehead or Milos Veljkovic in the midfielder’s place.

Whitehead boasts the greater experience but the 19-year-old Veljkovic, a loan arrival from Tottenham Hotspur last month, offers more energy and movement.

Karanka admits he is struggling to decide who should slot in alongside captain and top-scorer Grant Leadbitter in the Boro engine room.

He said: “This is the only doubt that I have for Saturday – Milos or Dean.

“Both of them are very good players and I have to manage that.

“One of them is an experienced, veteran player who knows the league and the team, the other one is a very young lad but I am sure he is going to have a very good future.

“I have to manage things. I hope to take the right decision but both of them can play.”

Former Boro favourite, and 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil, Juninho, will be the club’s star guest tomorrow and presented on the pitch before kick-off.

“There is always a buzz when Juni comes back and I’m sure it will add to the atmosphere on Saturday,” said Boro assistant boss Craig Hignett, who played alongside the Brazilian in Teeside before a successful three-year stint with Rovers.