Source: SKY_Sports
Boro get defensive boost
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Middlesbrough have been boosted by the return to action of defenders Andrew Taylor and Chris Riggott.[LNB] Taylor has been sidelined for six-weeks with ankle ligament damage, whilst Riggott is looking to end nine months of injury heartache.[LNB]Riggott has undergone two operations on his ankle and has not played since February against Manchester City.[LNB]Both players played in a behind closed-doors game against Newcastle on Tuesday.[LNB]Taylor is now looking to be involved against Crystal Palace at the weekend, whilst Riggott is hoping to play for the reserve team next week.[LNB]Riggott admits that he thought about quitting the game during his lay-off.[LNB]"I have hated it. You fall out of love with football because you are so fed up," said Riggott.[LNB] "It's been a nightmare. I have definitely thought about quitting. It got to the point where I was totally fed up. I don't want to quit, and I never wanted to, but it was that hard to deal with.[LNB]Tough"When you have had an operation it really is full on depression. It's been awful.[LNB]"Blokes are supposed to think about sex every seven seconds, instead I have been thinking about injuries every seven seconds. I break the norm."[LNB]Riggott is out of contract in the summer and he knows he needs to start playing to prove himself.[LNB]"This is a pretty big season for me and that's what has made it worse because I know how big it is," said Riggott.[LNB]"It's out of my hands to an extent. I can't do that much about it, I'm doing everything I can to try to get fit.[LNB]"Hopefully I have now turned the corner. The chairman is probably tearing his hair out seeing the wages going out, that's understandable.[LNB]"What I would say is that I'm trying, I'm really trying.[LNB]"I see Keith Lamb (chief executive) every day and he asks me if I'm fit yet. I keep saying I'm trying. It's that horrible feeling of letting people down.[LNB]"I'm not trying to think about the contract situation, that would drive me insane."[LNB]
