MIDDLESBROUGH'S Slovakian international striker Szilard Nemeth, who scored on his full debut in a 3-1 Worthington Cup second-round win over Northampton Town, cold be set to face Rovers..

Now the 23-year-old forward hopes he will get another chance to show his scoring ability in the third round at Ewood tonight.

Nemeth impressed as a second-half substitute in the Premiership against Southampton and has a strong chance of appearing alongside Croatian international striker Alen Boksic.

Manager Steve McClaren said: "Nemeth took a while to get used to a change of club and a change of coaching. But he has shown good character.

"Nemeth is a goal scorer, with pace and good control. He is one of those players who arrive in the box at the right time.

"Boksic can be a role model for him. Boksic is a world class player who can score goals at the highest level. There is no-one better for Nemeth to learn from."

Nemeth is hoping to make a name for himself in English football after arriving from Inter Bratislava last July.

With the Slovakian club, he scored more than 40 goals in two seasons and aroused the interest of several Premier League clubs.

McClaren hopes to strike the "right balance" against Rovers and include one or two young players in his line-up.

The former number two at Old Trafford said: "I have been impressed by several young players at this club. Long-term, the future is bright.

"Ultimately, my prime objective is to get Middlesbrough on the big stage and to win silverware. You cannot put a time scale on it. There is a lot of hard work to be done.

"The Worthington Cup offers a passport into Europe and we want to progress in the competition."

Middlesbrough will have to tighten up in defence if they are to enjoy a Cup run.

The back line has conceded 17 goals in eight Premier League games.