Xavier a doubt for Boro

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier remains a doubt for tomorrow’s vital Barclays Premiership trip to Wigan.

The former Portugal international, who has missed the last three games with a back problem, is now battling a knee injury and is unlikely to make the squad.

Midfielder Julio Arca returned from a groin strain as a substitute against Tottenham last week and is in contention for a start, while full-back Andrew Taylor is likely to play his last game before undergoing surgery on his big toe.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Jones, Davies, Parnaby, Taylor, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Huth, Riggott, Boateng, Arca, Rochemback, Cattermole, Downing, Morrison, Johnson, Viduka, Yakubu, Lee, Christie.