Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has revealed that injuries to key defenders will see Jonathan Woodgate return to his starting lineup against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Woodgate hasn't featured for the Championship outfit since Boxing Day due to a thigh problem, but with Rhys Williams and Daniel Ayala absent, Karanka has admitted that the former England international will be recalled for the match at the Riverside Stadium.
The 40-year-old is quoted by the Northern Echo as saying: "Woody is fit to play. He will start because we have two serious injuries in defence.
"Rhys Williams is out and Daniel Ayala is injured, so Woody will play. Dani has an ankle problem and unfortunately, I think that it is serious."
Woodgate has made 17 appearances for Middlesbrough during this campaign.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
