Source: Northern_Echo
We'll cope without Wheater: Mowbray
TONY Mowbray is confident Middlesbrough will overcome the loss of David Wheater when they entertain high-flying Cardiff City at the weekend.[LNB] Wheater picked up his fifth booking of the season in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Coventry, and will consequently have to sit out the game with the Bluebirds in four days time.[LNB] With Stephen McManus nursing a long-term ankle injury, Mowbray is short of options as he attempts to find a new defensive partner for Matthew Bates.[LNB] However, in fit-again Seb Hines and full-back Justin Hoyte, the Boro boss feels he has two alternatives who can fill the void.[LNB] "David is suspended and there's very little we can do about it," said Mowbray. "I know we have Stephen and David out, but you just have to cope.[LNB] "We will work on different things this week if the weather is okay and see who we can put in there with Matthew.[LNB] "I have Seb Hines, but I also have Justin Hoyte who I could use, with his high fitness levels and energy. We have options, and I am not going to cry over it.[LNB] "We want to be competitive next week. It will not be easy against (Craig) Bellamy and (Jay) Bothroyd, but that's what it is and we have to compete."[LNB] Barry Robson should be available to face Cardiff after missing last weekend's game through illness, and Kevin Thomson could also return after a prolonged break in an attempt to protect his leg.[LNB]
