Premiership: Cooper withdraws from Boro squad

Middlesbrough defender Colin Cooper has been withdrawn from the squad for tomorrow night’s Premiership trip to derby rivals Sunderland after the tragic death of his two-year-old son.

Defender Ugo Ehiogu (groin), striker Alen Boksic (calf) and midfielder Mark Wilson (thigh) are all out, as is long term absentee Mark Schwarzer, who is recovering from surgery on a hernia.

But skipper Paul Ince returns from suspension, while defender Gianluca Festa and midfielder Phil Stamp are back from hamstring and ankle problems respectively.