Boro trio facing late tests

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren will make late checks on skipper Gareth Southgate and defensive colleague Ugo Ehiogu and Stuart Parnaby ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership trip to Chelsea.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren will make late checks on skipper Gareth Southgate and defensive colleagues Ugo Ehiogu and Stuart Parnaby ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership trip to Chelsea.

All three came out of Wednesday night’s Carling Cup fourth round victory over Crystal Palace with minor knocks, and will have fitness tests before McClaren names his side.

Slovakian Szilard Nemeth is definitely out with a hamstring injury, while Gaizka Mendieta (calf), Tony McMahon (shoulder) and Ray Parlour (knee) remain on the long-term casualty list.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Jones, Parnaby, Queudrue, Southgate, Ehiogu Riggott, Bates, Boateng, Pogatetz, Rochemback, Morrison, Doriva, Johnson, Kennedy, Yakubu, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Maccarone.