Arca eagerly awaits derby return

Julio Arca joined Middlesbrough from Sunderland in July 2006

Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca is looking forward to returning to his old club Sunderland for the first time for Saturday's Tees-Wear derby.

"I expect to hopefully get a good reception but obviously some people are going to give you stick, especially with a full house," he told BBC Tees.

"It's nice to have derbies like this in the North East. People love that and they're so passionate about it.

"We want three points and Sunderland to stay up so we can play them next year."

The Argentinean midfielder has bittersweet memories of the corresponding Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside back in September. He scored a Boro equaliser before going off with a serious knee injury.

CROSSING THE DIVIDE Colin Cooper made three appearances for Sunderland after two spells at Boro in 2004 Boro winger Stewart Downing crossed over to Wearside on loan in 2003 Boro assistant manager Malcolm Crosby led Sunderland to the FA Cup Final in 1992

Since then Arca has been in and out of the first team, but finally believes he is back to his industrious best.

"I started the season really well," he said. "It was exciting but then I got the injury and it changed everything.

"My recovery was quick, I got back in the team and then my performances started to drop and perhaps my recovery didn't take the time it needed.

"The manager decided to take me out of the team and maybe that rest gave me the energy to start again."