NEWSNOWBoro V Hammers Preview
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate faces an anxious wait over midfielders Stewart Downing and Gary O’Neil ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham.
Downing picked up a hip injury during last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Derby and has been ill this week and, although he is hopeful of making the game, O’Neil is a major doubt after being sent for a scan on a hamstring problem he sustained in training on Thursday.
Julio Arca could return after missing out at Pride Park as he returns from his knee ligament injury, but Fabio Rochemback is suspended and Andrew Taylor (foot), Chris Riggott (calf) and Mido (groin) are still out.
West Ham will give a late fitness tests to James Collins and Luis Boa Morte, with both rated 50-50.
Striker Carlton Cole is suspended while Fredrik Ljungberg and Danny Gabbidon are also doubtful.
Long-term absentees Calum Davenport (groin), Matthew Etherington (groin), Craig Bellamy (stomach strain), Anton Ferdinand (hamstring), Lee Bowyer (groin), Bobby Zamora (knee), Kieron Dyer (broken leg) and Julien Faubert (Achilles) are all out.
Teams
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Pogatetz, Huth, Cattermole, O’Neil, Boateng, Arca, Johnson, Shawky, Aliadiere, Downing, Tuncay, Lee, Hutchinson.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, McCartney, Gabbidon, Upson, Ljungberg, Parker, Ashton, Pantsil, Solano, Noble, Mullins, Spector, Collins, Wright, Walker, Camara.
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