Middlesbrough have confirmed defender Abel Xavier will leave the club this summer after failing to agree a new contract.

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier remains a doubt for tomorrow’s vital Barclays Premiership trip to Wigan.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has received a double fitness boost ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Tottenham.

Middlesbrough's inspirational midfielder Julio Arca has been ruled out of tomorrow's Premiership trip to Manchester United.

Middlesbrough 4 Watford 1

Middlesbrough skipper George Boateng has been disciplined by his club after the player warned Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo his antics could earn him reprisals.

Carlos Tevez scored one and made another as West Ham cruised past Middlesbrough to keep alive their hopes of Premiership survival.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has been handed a double injury boost ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester United.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder was forced to contend with a flu virus as he named his side to face Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier will undergo a late fitness test ahead of Tuesday’s FA Cup fifth-round replay with West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Reading boss Steve Coppell turns to his big guns once again as his surprise European contenders look to maintain their grip on a place in the Premiership’s top six today.

Middlesbrough 2 West Brom 2

Manchester United maintained their six-point lead over champions Chelsea with a 2-0 victory over Charlton that had Alex Ferguson refusing to look over his shoulder as the Barclays Premiership title run-in takes shape.

Chelsea provided further evidence of their determination to push Manchester United all the way before relinquishing their hold on the Barclays Premiership crown by handing Middlesbrough their first defeat of the year.

Middlesbrough 1 Arsenal 1

Middlesbrough 5 Bolton 1

Newcastle’s woes continued after their midweek FA Cup hammering by Birmingham as West Ham claimed a 2-1 half-time lead at St James’ Park.

Gareth Southgate will give inspirational skipper George Boateng every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Bolton.

Coca-Cola League One promotion-chasers Bristol City secured a lucrative FA Cup trip to face Premiership side Middlesbrough after both won their third-round replays tonight.

England defender Jonathan Woodgate and keeper Mark Schwarzer could return for Middlesbrough’s bid for a first away win of the season at Charlton.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will make a late decision on England defender Jonathan Woodgate ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup third round trip to Hull.

FREE agents Abel Xavier and Alex Nyarko are both due to begin training with Southampton today with a view to joining until the end of the season, according to agent Barry Silkman.

Midfielder Julio Arca will hope to return to the Middlesbrough side for tomorrow's Premiership clash with Sheffield United after missing the defeat at Blackburn with a knee injury.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate welcomes back James Morrison and Abel Xavier for tomorrow’s crucial Barclays Premiership match against fellow strugglers Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Abel Xavier has recovered from his hamstring injury and is set to return to the Middlesbrough squad for tomorrow’s visit to his old club Everton.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists splashing the cash might not be the only answer as he seeks to move his side further away from the Barclays Premiership relegation zone.

Jonathan Woodgate is expected to return to the heart of Middlesbrough’s defence for tomorrow’s vital Premiership clash with Charlton.

Middlesbrough welcome back Lee Cattermole from suspension for Monday night’s televised Barclays Premiership clash at Fulham.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will make late checks on defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Abel Xavier ahead of tomorrow night’s Barclays Premiership trip to Tottenham.

Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 2

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate gave defender Abel Xavier his first appearance since rejoining the club, in the Barclays Premiership clash at Aston Villa.

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier is included in the squad for the first time since completing his year-long drugs ban for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with West Ham.

Abel Xavier has agreed a contract with Middlesbrough until the end of the season following his return from a drugs ban.

Abel Xavier gets a chance to stake a claim for a new deal at Middlesbrough when he returns to action for the reserves tonight after completing a year-long drugs ban.

Former Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier has had his 18-month doping suspension cut to a year by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

ONE of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s greatest attributes is his ability to make his squad bond as a group, to believe that no one player is more important than any other, and to give his team a collective belief that they can win any match.

Middlesbrough have confirmed that defender Abel Xavier’s contract has been terminated as he continues his fight against a drugs ban.

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier has vowed to fight his 18-month drugs ban in court after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren, pictured, has admitted he will have to sell before he can buy in the January transfer window.

UEFA have rejected Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier’s appeal against the 18-month ban imposed for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

UEFA have rejected Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier’s appeal against his 18-month ban imposed for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

UEFA reject Abel Xavier’s appeal against his 18-month ban imposed for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

Middlesbrough’s dream of winning the Carling Cup for a second time in three years means they will not fall into the trap of fielding a weakened side against Crystal Palace tonight.

Abel Xavier has formally appealed against his 18-month ban imposed for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.