Pogatetz a doubt for Boro

Middlesbrough captain Emanuel Pogatetz is struggling to be fit for the Premier League trip to West Brom tomorrow.

The Austria defender has been on the treatment table all week after suffering a hamstring niggle in the north-east derby against Sunderland last week.

Manager Gareth Southgate is already without his midfield discovery Josh Walker. The 19-year-old is sidelined for four to six weeks with an ankle ligament injury.

Midfielder Didier Digard, who left the field against the Black Cats with a huge lump on his temple, has fully recovered and will definitely play.

Gary O’Neil, who dropped out of last week’s squad with a bronchial infection, also returns.

Provisional squad: Turnbull, Jones, McMahon, Bates, Riggott, Huth, Wheater, Taylor, Emnes, Tuncay, O’Neil, Arca, Digard, Johnson, Downing, Porritt, Alves, Mido.