Injury woes for Boro

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren’s injury problems have increased further ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester City after midfielder Fabio Rochemback was ruled out of the next two games with a calf problem.

Skipper Gareth Southgate is also a doubt with a dead leg picked up in the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat by Blackburn, while Szilard Nemeth will be missing again with his hamstring strain.

Youngster James Morrison has recovered from concussion and Gaizka Mendieta has suffered no reaction after his return from a calf problem, while long-term absentees Stewart Downing and Ray Parlour (both knee) are expected to return for the reserves next month.

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