BORO will wait to see whether Scott McDonald is fit to make his Boro debut against Barnsley, but Gordon Strachan is tipping the striker to have a major impact when he does play.

The Australia international missed Saturday's trip to Ipswich Town after suffering a reaction following a hernia operation just a few weeks ago.

"We don't know yet if Scott will be ready but he will make a big difference for us," said Strachan. "Adrenalin got him through his first couple of days of training but then he felt some tightness, so it was best not to take any risks."

Midfielder Julio Arca also missed out at Portman Road as a persistent toe injury finally caught up with him.

"Julio has had his toe problem for a long time," said Strachan. "He's been very brave as he has had to have a couple of injections."

Despite signing seven players in January, injuries and suspension meant Strachan was forced to field a side with several players in unfamiliar positions at the weekend and the disruption seemed to play a part in a shaky start.

However, things improved as the game went on and Strachan was focusing on the positives today, including the performances of debutants Stephen 'Mick' McManus, Kyle Naughton and Lee Miller.

"I thought McManus was excellent, Kyle needs games, Miller will be an asset when players learn what he can do for us," he said.

"I was impressed with Willo Flood, McManus, Dave Wheater, Gary O'Neil, Lee Miller battling away up front and Fransky chasing back to harry opponents. Franksy lengthened the game when he came on, his pace stretched them.

"We were hoping to keep it 0-0 for a while or for us score a goal and to bring Franksy on when we wanted to win the game. But instead we brought him on to try to save the game and I thought he did well for us.

"I thought Justin Hoyte did far better on the right and maybe should have scored."

Strachan went for two similar players up front in Miller and Chris Killen, believing they were more suited for a duel with Ipswich's rugged rearguard.

"I went for these two because there were monsters there and sometimes you need more height," he said.  "Our goal came from a set-play."

Although he felt Boro could have won the game, Strachan was looking back on a point won rather than two dropped.

He said: "We've come back from behind, which is great because wee small things can be a big help.

"All in all it's good to come back because this team's been used to going one down and it's game over - in recent weeks we've gone one down and come back and got something."

*Canada U20 international midfielder Shaun Saiko has had his Boro contract cancelled by mutual consent.

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