Boro aim for winning return

Middlesbrough aim to bounce back from a rare defeat last time out when hosting struggling Bristol City this weekend.

Manager Tony Mowbray is still having to deal with a catalogue of injuries with George Friend (hamstring), Faris Haroun (calf) and Jonathan Woodgate (calf) already sidelined for the next fortnight. At least defender Stuart Parnaby should be recalled if he can manage to recover from a thigh strain.

Otherwise, skipper Rhys Williams (ankle ligaments) continues to make decent progress and may return to action next month. But Julio Arca (toe), Mustapha Carayol (knee) and Curtis Main (knee) are ruled out until the New Year.

"We have to try to pick up where we left off at home," Mowbray told Boro's official website. "Bristol are a dangerous side, fighting for their lives and scrapping for points.

"We fully expect a very tough game, they've got some obvious threats," he warned. "We have to be mindful of their threats and yet be positive and try to score some goals."

The Robins have added Liverpool defender Danny Wilson to their squad following a loan deal while striker Jon Stead (groin) remains sidelined.

But the biggest disappointment could fall on ex-Boro defender Matthew Bates who is understood to be struggling with a hamstring problem.

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