Middlesbrough FC

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13 Oct 2007 - 09:55:44

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Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz is hoping to return to action at the start of November, having missed the whole of the season to date with a knee injury.

The 24-year-old Austria international is recovering well following surgery in the summer and is hopeful of being ready to return to face Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside on November 3.

"Tottenham is possible for me, but players always want to play and it's up to the manager," Pogatetz commented.

"If he doesn't think I'm ready when I'm training then I won't play, but there's definitely a chance I could be available for that. Things are going well and positive.

"I have been out for a long time and I can't wait to be back. I'm full of energy and we will see.

"The most important thing is the next two weeks training. If I can keep up with the players then the manager will pick me.

"It has been frustrating for me watching on because the defence seems to have been punished for every little mistake.

"I feel sorry for them all because the main defending side of things is not bad. We are just being unlucky."

Pogatetz has scored three times in 83 appearances for Boro since his £1.8million move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2005.