Taylor back for Boro

Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor returns to the squad for Monday night’s derby showdown with Newcastle after recovering from injury.

The full-back missed last weekend’s 2-0 defeat by Manchester United with a hip flexor problem, but is available after returning to training.

However, skipper Emanuel Pogatetz will miss the rest of the season with the knee problem which has sidelined him for the last four games, and Chris Riggott (ankle) is also still out.

Provisional squad: Jones, Turnbull, Hoyte, McMahon, Taylor, Grounds, Wheater, Huth, Hines, Aliadiere, Tuncay, Bates, O’Neil, Walker, Shawky, Downing, Johnson, Digard, Alves, King.