Boro hope over skipper

07 September 2009 19:51
// 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 captain Emanuel Pogatetz could be back in action before the end of the month.[LNB] The Austrian missed the end of last season as Boro were relegated from the Premier League after he had surgery on both knees.[LNB]He is now back in light training and with Robert Huth departing to Stoke just before deadline day, Boro will be anxious to get him back as soon as possible.[LNB]"Emanuel is now back on the training ground running," revealed coach Steve Agnew.[LNB]"He's looking good and is beginning to do more with the ball now. I'm not sure on timescale though, maybe in two or three weeks' time he'll return to playing." [LNB]Boss Gareth Southgate has stated that both Pogatetz and fellow injury victim Chris Riggott are as good as anything in the Championship, but whilst his captain is nearing a return - the news is not as good for the former Derby stopper, who has had surgery on his ankle.[LNB]"Riggs has had a couple of setbacks and he's still a fair way away from competitive football," confirmed Agnew.[LNB]ArmbandWith Huth gone and Pogatetz injured, David Wheater was handed the captain's armband at Bristol City and he could very well continue in that role.[LNB]"You could see what it meant to him when he was given the armband," Agnew continued. [LNB]"We all felt for David on the day though, he's a local boy, he loves the club and is a top player. I've captained many clubs and you do feel extra responsibility.[LNB]"I think David, at 22, is a future captain of the club and his play reflects that. I've seen maturity in David over the last six months, he's starting to talk a lot more on the pitch and has been taking more responsibility."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports