Xavier misses Boro trip

Middlesbrough headed for Zurich and their UEFA Cup clash with Grasshoppers tomorrow night without suspended defender Abel Xavier as he continued his fight to clear his name.

The 32-year-old was left behind after being suspended while his failed drugs test was investigated, with Stuart Parnaby the man likely to fill the right-back spot at the Hardturm Stadium.

Ugo Ehiogu could return after shaking off a groin problem while reserve ‘keeper Brad Jones may be included following his recovery from an ankle ligament injury.

But Fabio Rochemback is ineligible, Ray Parlour is out for two months after undergoing knee surgery and young midfielder Adam Johnson is likely to be missing again as he recovers from illness.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Jones, Knight, Parnaby, Queudrue, Pogatetz, Southgate, Riggott, Ehiogu, Bates, Boateng, Mendieta, Morrison, Doriva, Nemeth, Kennedy, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Yakubu, Maccarone, Graham.