Record signing could start for Boro in cup game

Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere will miss his side’s FA Cup fifth-round replay against Sheffield United tomorrow night after failing in his appeal against the red card he received at Liverpool.

The Frenchman had his ban increased to four matches and joins central defender David Wheater in being suspended for the game at the Riverside Stadium.

Record signing Afonso Alves could start for the first time, while Robert Huth has returned to training following a foot injury and Gary O’Neil is available after missing the 3-2 Premier League defeat at Liverpool through illness.

Mohamed Shawky (hamstring) is also on the mend, but the game will come too soon for him, while Chris Riggott (also hamstring), Lee Cattermole and Matthew Bates (both knee) and Andrew Taylor (foot) are still missing.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Grounds, Pogatetz, Huth, Hines, Arca, Rochemback, Boateng, O’Neil, Downing, Tuncay, Johnson, Alves, Mido, Lee.