Viduka, Parlour, Boateng back for Boro

Middlesbrough welcomed back Mark Viduka, Ray Parlour and George Boateng for today’s Barclays Premiership clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The trio returned after lengthy injury lay-offs as Boro attempted to re-ignite their ailing season – they have taken just seven points from their last nine games – with victory at Selhurst Park.

England striker Andy Johnson started for Palace after recovering from the foot injury which forced him to sit out the World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.

Midfielder Vassilis Lakis was available after completing his suspension but he could only win a place on the bench as the Eagles stepped-up their Premiership survival bid.

Crystal Palace: Kiraly, Leigertwood, Hall, Hudson, Granville, Routledge, Riihilahti, Hughes, Soares, Johnson, Freedman. Subs: Speroni, Watson, Borrowdale, Andrews, Lakis.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Riggott, Southgate, Queudrue, Parlour, Boateng, Zenden, Downing, Viduka, Hasselbaink. Subs: Nemeth, Doriva, Jones, Cooper, Graham.

Referee: S Dunn (Gloucestershire)