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Boro Line up Former Black Cat for Key Role Wednesday 20th May 2009
Middlesbrough’s left-winger Stuart Downing is out of Boro’s game against West Ham on Sunday but Julio Arca is ready to fill his boots.
Boro are in a perilous position in the Premier League with one game to go and must rely on other results if they are going to avoid the drop.
For the Teesiders to avoid relegation, a swing of five goals between Boro and Hull City must take place, and Newcastle must lose away at Aston Villa.
But Arca, who only played his second game in the last two months against Villa last weekend, still believes that they can keep their top-flight status.
Fantasy Stakes players should note that the Argentinean has only played 17 times this season and is desperate to help his club out of the Championship.
Now that 24-year-old Stuart Downing is out, Arca will be left to marshal Boro’s left flank at Upton Park on Sunday.
Downing injured foot after a challenge from Villa’s Stilian Petrov and is certain to miss the last game of the campaign along with striker Alfonso Alves.
Arca, however, still believes there is hope for Boro. He said: “I’m sure Newcastle won’t have a nice afternoon against Villa and although we know Manchester United have the Champions League final a few days later, we also know their second string are very capable in this league.
“The manager will have to pick his best 11, but whoever that is we will all do our best.
“The chance is still there. It’s hard but it is not impossible.”
Arca was part of the Sunderland team that were relegated from the Premier League in the 2005-6 season and he won’t want a repeat of that year.
Usually used as a full-back, he may be asked to push forward in the absence of Downing.
