York City fans were licking their lips at the mouth-watering prospect of watching the samba skills of a Brazilian when Middlesbrough arrive at Bootham Crescent tonight (7.45pm).

And the Minstermen supporters' anticipation will be heightened by the fact the Brazilian in question will be pulling on a City shirt.

With World Cup winner Juninho - one of five big-name signings at Middlesbrough this season - not yet in the country, Rogerio Carvalho will look to steal the limelight as he bids to earn a City contract.

As revealed by the Evening Press yesterday, the 6ft 3ins striker has spent the past few days on trial at Bootham Crescent and he will now get his chance to show off his skills against a strong Boro line-up, pending international clearance.

"Rogerio will be in the squad," said coach Adie Shaw. "He's been here a few days now and we've seen what he can do in training, so we just need to have a look at him in a match."

Carvalho, a 22-year-old from Ituano SC (SB) Brazil, is one of five trialists battling to earn themselves contracts for next season.

Defensive duo Chris Kamara, who played in the 4-1 victory over Tadcaster on Monday night, and James Okoli are set to play some part along with Carvalho, but striker Simon Parke and winger Nicolas Mazzina are ruled out.

Argentine Mazzina picked up a knock to his knee in the win over Tadcaster, while experienced non-League front-man Parke suffered badly from blisters in the same game - his first after a month-long holiday in Florida.

Sunderland goalkeeper Jon Kennedy, who has been given permission from the Black Cats for tonight's game, is guaranteed to start as Dolan continues his search for cover for injured first-choice net-minder Alan Fettis.

Young City midfielder Stephen Brackstone will also be out to prove a point, having been released by Boro towards the end of last season, while Lee Bullock and Mike Basham will continue their return to match fitness with a run-out.

However, Richard Cooper and Darren Edmondson will join Fettis on the sidelines because of injury.

York-born Steve McClaren is expected at Bootham Crescent tonight to run the rule over a number of players who fit into his plans for next season.

Cameroon international Joseph-Desire Job will be out to prove his worth after a disappointing spell so far at the Riverside, while Knaresborough-based Colin Cooper, Allan Johnston, Dean Windass, Llzard Nemeth and Mark Crossley are also named in a talented squad.

Shaw said: "When you play against quality opposition like this, and Sunderland, you have to do it right from the off.

"The quality of the passing and the general play will give us a good work out.

"It would be nice to win - and we want to win as it gives you a confidence boost going into the first League game - but with these pre-season games it is about getting the side right and the players out on the pitch for 70/80 minutes."

Hopes of a return to Bootham Crescent for Jonathan Greening, who is now at Boro after a spell at Manchester United, were dashed with McClaren including the midfielder in the side that beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 last night.

Italian international Massimo Maccarone - a club record £8.15 million signing from Empoli - also played last night.

York City: Kennedy, Collinson, Okali, Kamara, Basham, Hobson, Parkin, Cowan, Potter, Brass, Brackstone, Bullock, O'Kane, Fox, Duffield, Mathie, Nogan, Carvalho, Wilding.

Middlesbrough: Crosslet, Close, Gavin, Cooper, Murphy, Hudson, Johnston, Downing, Windass, Job, Nemeth, Russell, Gulliver, Davies, Dove, Bernhardt, Smith.

Updated: 10:42 Wednesday, July 31, 2002