Schwarzer set to return for Boro

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could return for tomorrow’s vital Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth.

The Australian missed last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Sunderland with a back injury, but both he and Ross Turnbull, who was on the bench at the Stadium of Light despite nursing a similar problem, are back in training with Brad Jones likely to make way.

Striker Jeremie Aliadiere should be available after shaking off the dead leg which sidelined him for the trip to Wearside, but Robert Huth (foot) remains a doubt and Gary O’Neil (knee) and Mido (hernia) are out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Turnbull, Jones, Young, Taylor, Grounds, McMahon, Wheater, Pogatetz, Boateng, Arca, Downing, Shawky, Rochemback, Cattermole, Johnson, Aliadiere, Alves, Tuncay.