Pogatetz hoping to clean up
24 Oct 2008 - 07:48:12
Middlesbrough centre-back Emanuel Pogatetz is hoping to avoid further disciplinary problems after completing a three-match suspension.
The Boro skipper was handed the ban for a dreadful challenge on Rodrigo Possebon during his side's 3-1 Carling Cup loss at Manchester United last month.
However, he is back in Gareth Southgate's plans for the Premier League visit to Blackburn Rovers this weekend.
He told the club's official website: "It seems like a long time since I last played for the team. It is very hard to watch from the sidelines, especially when the team is not winning.
"It is hard when you are injured, but it is harder when you have been suspended because of a red card.
"I know that my challenge was wrong and I have to try to avoid it happening again in the future, because I want to play every week.
"These things happen to players because it is a physical game and you have to try to win the ball. I know that it only takes a mis-timed tackle but I must not think about it too much.
"It was disappointing about what happened at Old Trafford, but I have to hope that it won't happen again in the future."