Boro wait on Woodgate

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will make a late decision on England defender Jonathan Woodgate ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup third round trip to Hull.

Woodgate limped off with a knee problem in Monday’s 3-1 Barclays Premiership victory over Sheffield United, and although the injury is limited to bruising, the manager will not rush him back unnecessarily.

Andrew Davies is battling against an ankle problem, and with Chris Riggott (hamstring) and Matthew Bates (knee ligaments) out, right-back Abel Xavier may have to play in central defence as he did after Woodgate’s premature departure against the Blades.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Davies, Taylor, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Boateng, Cattermole, Arca, Morrison, Downing, Viduka, Yakubu, Jones, Parnaby, Xavier, Mendieta, Rochemback, Christie, Euell, Johnson.