Source: Northern_Echo
Mowbray hoping to have injured players back to face the Blades
TONY Mowbray is hoping to have both Nicky Bailey and Barry Robson available for this weekend's trip to Sheffield United.[LNB] And with fit-again skipper Matthew Bates also keen to be involved at Bramall Lane, Mowbray should find himself picking from one of the strongest squads available to him all season in four days time.[LNB] Bailey had been pencilled in for a starting spot in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Leicester, but after suffering a knock in training on Friday, the midfielder failed a fitness test on the morning of the game.[LNB] He will be back in full training soon, however, and will hope to partner Rhys Williams in the side that lines up in South Yorkshire on Saturday.[LNB] Whether Robson is also involved in that game remains to be seen, as the Scotland international is nursing a hamstring injury.[LNB] He is regarded as a bigger doubt than Bailey, but Mowbray is hoping he will have recovered sufficiently by the weekend.[LNB] Bates should definitely be fit to face the Blades, and the skipper's return will give his manager something of a selection headache given Stephen McManus' goalscoring impact against Leicester.[LNB] "We've got strong competition at the back now and a lot of good players desperate to see their names on the team sheet," said Mowbray.[LNB] "I'll continue to look at things and make sure we play to our strengths. One of the ways may be to play with three centre-halves. If you've got the players, you can make it work."[LNB] With Sheffield United fighting for their lives in the Championship relegation zone, Boro can expect a fierce physical battle in four days time.[LNB] Earlier in the season, the Teessiders tended to struggle against more powerful opponents, but in recent weeks, a steelier spine has been apparent.[LNB] Boro's players gave as good as they got against Leicester, and while Mowbray will always be committed to a free-flowing passing game, he accepts that the Riverside crowd will always demand a certain level of competitive spirit.[LNB] "This is a part of the country where hard work and industry are part of life," he said. "While I want to build a technical team, you have to have a side that puts in the hard work and enjoys the physical nature of some games, and then you can play football.[LNB] "Leicester are a good team, but I think we did a good job of knocking them out of their rhythm.[LNB] "Sheffield United will be one hell of a match, but we don't fear anybody. We should look forward to the challenge of a physical match and then be ready to play some football."[LNB] * Season card holders and members of Boro Pride and Generation Red can watch Middlesbrough reserves for free when they host Hull City at the Riverside this afternoon (2pm).[LNB] Goalkeeper Danny Coyne returns from back and hernia problems, while Willo Flood also continues his comeback from a serious knee injury.[LNB] The game is also a chance for fans to see no fewer than seven of Boro's youth internationals in action with Northern Ireland's Ryan Brobbel joining Cameron Park, Ben Gibson, Bruno Pilatos, Jake Fowler, Adam Jackson and Curtis Edwards in the squad.[LNB] Also included are Scottish winger Andy Halliday and midfield trialist Luke Dobbie, who was recently released by Everton.[LNB] Admission is free to season card holders, Boro Pride members and Generation Red members, with entry via turnstiles 14-17.[LNB]
