Fitness tests for Boro duo

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will make late checks on defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Abel Xavier ahead of tomorrow night’s Barclays Premiership trip to Tottenham.

Woodgate was ill before Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester United and came off at half time, while Xavier tired towards the end of the game after his long lay-off.

Midfielder Lee Cattermole is available before sitting out at the weekend after picking up his fifth booking of the season. Mark Viduka could return to the squad after his spell out with broken toes, but Chris Riggott (hamstring) and Andrew Davies (calf) are out.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Jones, Xavier, Parnaby, Taylor, Woodgate, Huth, Pogatetz, Boateng, Cattermole, Downing, Morrison, Rochemback, Arca, Euell, Johnson, Mendieta, Parlour, Yakubu, Christie, Maccarone, Graham.