No let-up yet in injury woes - but players edge closer to returns

MIDDLESBROUGH’S defensive injury problems are unlikely to be eased for their trip to Hull City tonight, but they could welcome two players back to the squad at least.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Kim Hellberg described Boro’s injury situation as unlike anything he’d seen before, with Matt Targett forced to play centre-back in the victory over Derby County last Saturday.

Boro had Luke Ayling, Darragh Lenihan, Dael Fry, George Edmundson and Aidan Morris missing for that game. The good news is that only Lenihan is some way from a return of that group, and the latter two have also returned to training this week.

Offering an injury update, the Boro boss said: “They're getting further forward.

“I think they will be back soon. It’s getting better and better. Friday might be too soon [for most]. Maybe we will have George on the bench, maybe. And Aidan Morris was on the pitch today for the first time.