Source: PA
Boro stars receive international calls
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has lost six key players to international duty as he attempts to mould his side into promotion contenders.
Kris Boyd, Stephen McManus and Barry Robson are all away with Scotland for their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Liechtenstein.
Latest signing Mickael Tavares is in the Senegal squad for their opening African Nations Cup qualifier away to DR Congo, while Scott McDonald is back in the Australia squad for friendlies against Switzerland and Poland having missed out on a trip to the World Cup finals.
Estonia international Tarmo Kink is currently being assessed after picking up a knee injury in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Barnsley, and will return to Teesside if he is declared unfit for his country's clash with Italy on Friday.
