Boro back in action

Middlesbrough are back in league action and welcoming fellow promotion challengers Watford to the Riverside this weekend.

Manager Tony Mowbray must again check on a number of players before kick-off after Seb Hines, Andre Bikey and George Friend returned to training. Emmanuel Ledesma is another who could be in contention from a recent knee problem.

On loan Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran similarly needs assessing following his ankle injury, while Andy Halliday may still be involved despite requiring an operation on a broken nose earlier in the week,

Meanwhile, Jonathan Woodgate (calf), Justin Hoyte (hip) and Marvin Emnes (hamstring) were expected to miss out alongside longer-term victims Julio Arca (toe), Muzzy Carayol and Curtis Main (both knee).

"There are still a few missing," Mowbray confirmed to the Northern Echo. "Emnes is unavailable as is Arca, Carayol and a few others, but it's healthy to see some of them back training this week."

For sixth-placed Watford, Manuel Almunia (hamstring) and Almen Abdi (pelvic injury) both resumed training this week and may be involved.

Otherwise, Jonathan Hogg (hamstring), Fitz Hall (hamstring), Tommy Hoban (Achilles) and Neuton (kick) remain doubtful.

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