Boro boosted by Southgate return

Middlesbrough were boosted by the surprise return of captain Gareth Southgate from an ankle injury for their FA Cup semi-final against West Ham at Villa Park.

Southgate was considered a major doubt after missing Thursday’s UEFA Cup semi-final defeat to Steaua Bucharest – but he returned to the Boro side along with Chris Riggott, who was suspended for the trip to Romania, and Andrew Taylor.

Aiyegbeni Yakubu kept his place up front alongside the in-form Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with Mark Viduka out injured.

West Ham were at full strength for their first FA Cup semi-final since a 4-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on this same ground 15 years ago.

Anton Ferdinand returned from a nagging hip injury to start at right-back and Danny Gabbidon shook off concerns over a groin problem to partner James Collins at centre-back.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Riggott, Southgate, Queudrue, Parnaby, Rochemback, Boateng, Downing, Taylor, Hasselbaink, Yakubu.

Subs: Jones, Ehiogu, Parlour, Maccarone, Bates.

West Ham: Hislop, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Collins, Konchesky, Benayoun, Mullins, Reo-Coker, Etherington, Harewood, Ashton.

Subs: Walker, Scaloni, Sheringham, Zamora, Newton.

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire)