Wheater set for Boro return

Middlesbrough defender David Wheater will celebrate signing his new three-and-a-half-year contract by returning from suspension for tomorrow’s Riverside Stadium clash with Reading.

Boss Gareth Southgate has a minor doubt over striker Afonso Alves, who suffered a head clash early in the midweek FA Cup replay win over Sheffield United, and Fabio Rochemback (calf).

Mohamed Shawky (hamstring), Lee Cattermole and Matthew Bates (knee) and Andrew Taylor continue to get closer to a return to fitness but remain on the injury list.

Team (from): Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Grounds, Pogatetz, Huth, Hines, Arca, Rochemback, Boateng, O’Neil, Downing, Tuncay, Johnson, Alves, Mido, Lee.