Boateng boost for Boro

Middlesbrough skipper George Boateng will lead out his side for a must-win Barclays Premiership clash with Wigan after escaping a four-match ban.

The Dutchman had his second red card of the season, awarded after a spat with Tottenham’s Didier Zokora on Tuesday night, overturned on appeal. Lee Cattermole is suspended after reaching five bookings for the season.

Striker Mark Viduka appeared as a substitute in midweek after recovering from broken toes, but Chris Riggott (hamstring) and Andrew Davies (calf) remain on the sidelines.

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