Triple boost on Boro's injury front

MIDDLESBROUGH received a triple injury boost ahead of Stoke City’s visit this evening, with Callum Brittain and Dael Fry fit to play, and Riley McGree back in training.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Brittain became a doubt for this evening's game after coming off in Saturday's draw against Southampton. A bad cut to his foot caused discomfort for the right wing-back, with dressing room pictures showing a large amount of blood loss as a result.

His availability will be a boost to Rob Edwards, who doesn’t have a natural understudy to the summer signing, who's been a key player so far this term.

The return of Fry is also a boost as Boro's defensive problems start to ease after the Teessider missed Boro’s last three with a calf problem.

Offering good news on the injury front, Edwards said: “Britts is OK. It was a nasty cut to his foot, but he’s OK. Dael will be involved in the squad as well, so we're getting there now.

“Riley has had a couple of good days’ training now. It’s still a bit too soon for him for tomorrow, but he’s getting there. So then it’s just Darragh out now, and Riley training and getting close.”

While McGree won't be involved tonight, his comeback is a huge boost for the player in particular, after what has been such a frustrating period. After two years of injury struggles, the Australia international latest absence is largely because the club have done extra work with him to try to rebuild his strength and robustness in the hope he can avoid any further problems.