CHRIS Riggott had it all mapped out. A nice round of golf, a couple of days’ relaxation and then hopefully launch the mother of all knees-ups by helping Stoke City to the most significant promotion in their history.

Middlesbrough 2 Portsmouth 0

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could return for tomorrow’s vital Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane was again forced into a defensive reshuffle as his side attempted to secure their Premier League status against Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could return to the side for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Sunderland after recovering from a back problem.

WEARING only a pair of black boxer shorts, black socks and black shoes, it was impossible to imagine quite what motivated the male streaker who invaded the Riverside stadium pitch on the rawest of Teesside afternoons.

Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O’Neil is out of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton after undergoing surgery to repair a knee ligament problem.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is expected to name the same team that started the 2-2 draw with Manchester United against Tottenham at White Hart Lane tomorrow.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will welcome Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback back from suspension for Sunday’s Riverside Stadium clash with Manchester United.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will be without striker Mido and midfielder Fabio Rochemback through suspension for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Derby.

Strikers Afonso Alves and Jeremie Aliadiere return to the Middlesbrough squad for tomorrow’s trip to Arsenal.

Striker Jeremie Aliadiere will complete his four-match ban as Middlesbrough attempt to bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment at Aston Villa tomorrow.

THE Bluebirds are flying high, and not even the prospect of a turbulent flight back home could hold any fears for the victors.

Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Cardiff.

Middlesbrough defender David Wheater will celebrate signing his new three-and-a-half-year contract by returning from suspension for tomorrow’s Riverside Stadium clash with Reading.

Middlesbrough 1 Sheffield United 0 (after extra time)

Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere will miss his side’s FA Cup fifth-round replay against Sheffield United tomorrow night after failing in his appeal against the red card he received at Liverpool.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will make late checks on Robert Huth and Tuncay Sanli before naming his side for tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Liverpool.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will make late checks on Robert Huth and Tuncay Sanli before naming his side for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool.

Middlesbrough’s record signing Afonso Alves could make his FA Cup debut in Sunday’s fifth round tie at Sheffield United.

GARETH SOUTHGATE has urged Middlesbrough to aim high after Jeremie Aliadiere all but banished any lingering relegation fears on Teesside.

Record signing Afonso Alves could make the Middlesbrough squad for the first time for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was handed his first start of 2008 as manager Kevin Keegan once again went in search of his opening victory since returning to St James’ Park.

Gareth Southgate will be able to give club record signing Afonso Alves his debut in Middlesbrough’s match at Newcastle on Sunday if the Brazilian is given international clearance from the Dutch football federation.

Turkey international Tuncay Sanli returns for Middlesbrough’s Premier League clash against Wigan Athletic at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow.

Turkey international Tuncay Sanli returns for Middlesbrough’s Barclays Premier League clash against Wigan Athletic at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow.

ANYONE at home” is usually the stock response when a player is asked who they’d like in the next round, but that is unlikely to be the reply from Dong Gook Lee.

STEVEN REID wants Blackburn to banish an unwanted Premier League statistic.

Blackburn 1 Middlesbrough 1

Blackburn striker Jason Roberts returns to the starting line-up against Middlesbrough at Ewood Park today.

Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O’Neil is suspended for tomorrow’s FA Cup third round trip to Bristol City.

GARETH SOUTHGATE really ought to have known better. After his programme notes provided chapter and verse on how Middlesbrough’s home form will be the key to their Premier League survival, the manager watched his anaemic side comprehensively dismantled by an Everton team with far more lofty ambitions.

Middlesbrough 0 Everton 2

Middlesbrough captain George Boateng returns to the squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Everton after serving a one-match ban.

Middlesbrough will be without suspended skipper George Boateng for tomorrow’s trip to Portsmouth.

ALEX MCLEISH was in a bullish mood after watching Birmingham beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at St Andrews to chalk up their biggest win of the season.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has a concern over England defender Jonathan Woodgate ahead of the St Stephen's day trip to Birmingham.

PAUL JEWELL admits his hopes of revitalising Derby rest on whether chairman Adam Pearson can convince an American consortium to invest in the club.

Middlesbrough 2 Arsenal 1

Middlesbrough 'keeper Mark Schwarzer could yet return to action in the Barclays Premier League against Arsenal on Sunday despite breaking his thumb just last week.

GARETH SOUTHGATE is confident he still has the backing of his Middlesbrough squad, despite dropping into the relegation zone.

Misfiring Middlesbrough have been forced to hand rookie goalkeeper Ross Turnbull his third Premier League start in this afternoon’s crucial clash at Reading.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will be without Mark Schwarzer and Mido for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Reading.

MARTIN O’NEILL is insistent that he has no interest in walking out on Aston Villa, but more results like this and it will not just be England wanting to speak to the Irishman.