Boro Hope For Fitness Boost
COLIN COOPER is hoping for some positive news from the treatment room over the next few days as Boro begin the build-up to the Riverside's biggest game of the season.
Gordon Strachan's plans have regularly been disrupted by injuries ever since he joined the club, and Emanuel Pogatetz, Jeremie Aliadiere and Willo Flood are all missing or doubtful for the derby clash with Newcastle.
However, coach Cooper believes players returning to fitness could play a crucial role in the remainder of the campaign.
"Our squad will be stretched to the full and we could do with one or two coming back from the treatment table," he said. "This is a really big month in our season so we need to pick up a lot of points and give ourselves a chance."
Pogatetz was not involved at Cardiff City last weekend after picking up a knee injury in the win over Queens Park Rangers, while Jeremie Alaidiere is out for six weeks after breaking a big toe in South Wales.
Flood, pictured above, was having scans yesterday on a knee injury sustained in the same game and while the results are not yet known, Cooper fears he may not be fit to face the Geordies.
"One thing I've found out in the short time he's been here is he doesn't limp off unless he's hurt," he said. "He might only be five foot six and seven stone wet through, but he's a tough little so-and-so.
"I suspect the scan result will show he's got something, but hopefully not something that will keep him out for too long."
On the plus side, Rhys Williams looked bright after coming off the bench at Cardiff following a lengthy lay-off, while fellow Aussie Scott McDonald was due back in training this week.
"It was great to see Rhys back, he's been a miss because he started the season in fantastic form and this pelvic problem has dragged on," said Cooper. "He's got a real focus to finish the season strongly to head off into the World Cup. Hopefully we'll get Scott McDonald somewhere close as well.
"But it all depends on the people who are fit and well enough to cross the white line on Saturday realising this is the start of a hectic period and we have to come out of it with a lot more points than we have at the moment."
