Millwall v Middlesbrough preview

Team news ahead of Saturday afternoon's Championship clash between Millwall and Middlesbrough at the New Den.

Last Updated: 18/02/11 at 12:18

Craig: In contention

Craig: In contention

Millwall's injury crisis is easing ahead of the game.

Defenders Tony Craig (back) and Darren Ward (ankle) have returned to training this week after six weeks on the sidelines and should be involved.

Midfielder Tamika Mkandawire is also on the mend after a muscle strain and will be handed a late fitness test.

And January signing Hameur Bouazza has also trained all week having recovered from a knee injury and could be on the bench for the first time.

Josh McQuoid is still out with ankle ligament damage but he is due back in training next week, leaving fellow striker Shaun Batt (knee) as the only long-term absentee.

Defender Jens Berthel Askou is available for the final time before his loan from Norwich expires.

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray will make a late call on whether to throw defender Maximilian Haas in for his debut.

The January signing could be included in defence after Mowbray criticised individual mistakes made by his back-line which led to Boro throwing away a 3-1 lead at home to Swansea to lose 4-3 last time out.

However, due to Haas' lack of experience of English football, the injury-hit defence could stay the same.

Mowbray's injury woes at the back are easing as left-back Andrew Taylor (hamstring) has a chance of being available, as does Julio Arca (toe). Right-back Justin Hoyte (hamstring) is closing on a return and centre-back Stephen McManus (ankle ligaments) is making good progress, although he is still three or four weeks away from full fitness.

New signing Merouane Zemmama is pushing for a starting place after making his debut as a substitute against the Swans, on-loan Hamburg midfielder Mickael Tavares could be involved after recovering from a fractured toe as could forward Tarmo Kink who has missed a few weeks with a virus.

Midfield trio Willo Flood (knee), Rhys Williams (hip) and Kevin Thomson (hairline fibula fracture) have stepped up their recoveries from injury. Flood and Williams played 45 minutes of a reserve-team match against Sheffield United and Thomson has resumed light training.

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Championship Fixtures

Monday, 27 May 2013
15:00
C Palace v Watford  

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

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