CLOUGHIE'S COMEBACK; Statue set for return.

Byline: SANDY McKENZIE

CLOUGHIE'S statue should return to Middlesbrough's Albert Park next month.

And Middlesbrough councillor John McPartland, one of the driving forces behind the moves to get the Brian Clough statue erected, has taken time off during a holiday in Portugal to visit the statue of another of his footballing idols.

Cllr McPartland, who jointly set up the group that raised funds for the Clough statue, went to Benfica's Stadium of Light in Lisbon to see the statue of Eusebio. He said: "Cloughie was and is my great sporting hero and was the best goal scorer I have ever seen.

Eusebio, of Benfica and Portugal, was the greatest European footballer since the war." Cloughie's statue was removed from Albert Park in March because of a structural problem with the right leg. It is now at Bronze Restorations in Surbiton. Artist Vivien Mallock has visited the company to provide input for the repair and agreed that it is necessary to support the free leg. It means the original bronze base will be replaced by a new extended one, with a slightly different profile.

Like the Cloughie statue, the Eusebio figure is at ground level reflecting "that both men never had their heads in the clouds," said Cllr McPartland. Eusebio, 1965 European Footballer of the Year, scored 727 goals in 715 games and is Benfica's top scorer.

MY OTHER HERO: Cllr John McPartland with Eusebio statue

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INJURY AGONY: How we reported the statue's removal in March MY OTHER HERO: Cllr John McPartland with Eusebio statue LEG SUPPORT: Brian Clough's statue, unveiled in 2007, will return with a slightly different profile Picture by IAN McINTYRE