Schwarzer back for Boro

Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer will return from a five-match absence with a back injury to play his part in the club’s drive for Europe against Tottenham tomorrow.

The Australian’s comeback could hardly have been better timed after deputy Brad Jones, who has performed so well in his absence, reported in with chicken pox earlier this week.

Veteran defender Colin Cooper has shaken off a hip problem to return to the squad, while Michael Reiziger, Stuart Parnaby, Tony McMahon and James Morrison all played for the reserves in midweek as they ended lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Knight, Reiziger, Parnaby, McMahon, Queudrue, Davies, Southgate, Ehiogu, Cooper, Wheater, Boateng, Zenden, Parlour, Downing, Doriva, Morrison, Hasselbaink, Nemeth.