Middlesbrough Football Club

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35049

Arca eyes first-team return

04 Oct 2006 - 09:21:33

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Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca is hoping to return to first-team action shortly after proving his fitness by coming through a reserve-team clash unscathed.

The Argentinian only moved to the Riverside Stadium from Sunderland in the summer but suffered a broken foot on the opening weekend of the season in Boro's 3-2 defeat at Reading.

Arca played in the second-string's 1-1 draw against Blackburn reserves and told Sky Sports News: "It was nice to be back in the team.

"I am trying to get some fitness back so it was good for me. The foot is feeling okay.

"I'm looking forward to getting involved in the first team now. It's a bit stiff now, but that's normal after being six weeks without doing much.

"Compared to a few weeks ago, it's much better and I hope next week, or the week after, it will be even better."