Boro V Fulham team news.

By Come on Boro.com
November 18 2005

Middlesbrough's Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is doubtful with a slight shoulder problem whilst his Aussie counterpart Mark Viduka is ruled out with an Achilles problem.

Both injuries were sustained in the Soccerroo's World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, despite both players completing the 120 minutes and the penalty shoot-out.

Skipper Gareth Southgate is back after four weeks out with a groin injury, while Ugo Ehiogu could return after shaking off a similar problem.

Gaizka Mendieta is rated at 50/50 after tweaking a hamstring in training during the week.

Fulham captain Luis Boa Morte is suspended but Sylvain Legwinski is in the squad after playing for the reserves this week.

Both Claus Jensen and Carlos Bocanegra are injured and out of the game.

Middlesbrough squad: Schwarzer, Jones, Knight, Parnaby, Queudrue, Southgate, Ehiogu, Riggott, Bates, Pogatetz, Boateng, Mendieta, Rochemback, Morrison, Nemeth, Doriva, Johnson, Yakubu, Hasselbaink, Maccarone

Fulham squad: Warner, Volz, Goma, Knight, Rehman, Pearce, N. Jensen, Diop, Leacock, Malbranque, Radzinski, Legwinski John, McBride, Helguson, Elrich, Rosenior, Christanval, Batista.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was quoted on the BBC. "Sunday starts the most important week of our season so far. That's the case because we need to start winning in the league, but at the same time we want to qualify for the next stage of the UEFA Cup. It's a massive week but I'm looking for three wins. That's the aim and we're capable of doing it."

Fulham striker Collins John. "We have to win because we have a good team and we should be higher in the league. Boro are very unpredictable. Their forwards can be great on their day - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Yakubu. Both are strong and quick and can be very dangerous. And they have some good youngsters too."

MIDDLESBROUGH v FULHAM MATCH PROGRAMME SPONSORED BY