Yak's back

Middlesbrough striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu was back in training today after finally overcoming his visa problems.

The 23-year-old Nigerian was due back with the rest of his team-mates last Friday, but his visa had expired during his break at home.

Home Office officials needed time to process the new documentation in time for him to return as planned, and so he had to miss the first few days under new boss Gareth Southgate.

However, he was back at the club’s Rockliffe Park training headquarters this morning and ready to start his preparations for the new campaign.

Yakubu joined Boro in a £7.5m (€10.9m) switch from Portsmouth last summer, and was leading scorer in his first campaign with 19 goals.

He has been linked with a big money return to Fratton Park, but Southgate has warned Pompey off.

Having released the out-of-contract Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Southgate will rely on Yakubu, Mark Viduka and Massimo Maccarone, with youngster Danny Graham providing the back-up.