Hasselbaink back for Boro

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was able to call upon experienced striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink once again as his side looked to get their Barclays Premiership campaign back on track against struggling Southampton.

The Dutchman missed Thursday night’s UEFA Cup defeat by Sporting Lisbon with a knee problem, but returned this afternoon in place of defender Tony McMahon as he prepared to undergo surgery on a cartilage problem which will sideline him for six weeks.

Southampton manager Harry Redknapp made five changes to the side beaten 4-0 at home by Manchester United in last weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final with Paul Smith, Martin Cranie, Anders Svensson, Danny Higginbotham and Matt Oakley making way for Antti Niemi, Graeme Le Saux, Jamie Redknapp, Rory Delap and Nigel Quashie.