National success could put Boro in a tight spot

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Kim Hellberg admits he will have talks with his international players and their coaches, to determine if any arrangements can be made to ease the headache ahead of Millwall.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

While David Strelec and Alan Browne have vital World Cup qualifying matches to play for Slovakia and Ireland respectively, Tommy Conway (Scotland), Sontje Hansen (Curacao), Riley McGree (Australia) and Aidan Morris (USA) are heading off to play friendly matches having already qualified for this summer's tournament.

While Hellberg fully appreciates that for some, it's their final opportunity to impress their national team bosses and cement their place in World Cup squads, the break creates a bit of an issue for Boro, who host promotion rivals Millwall at 12.30pm on Good Friday.

That's a particular problem for Hansen, McGree and Morris, who are all playing outside of Europe and will have lengthy journeys before returning to Teesside in the days before that Championship meeting.