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Boro boosted by duo's return
Middlesbrough, 11:45, September 17, 2009 ,
Emanuel Pogatetz and Didier Digard are close to returning to the Boro side after coming through a reserve-team outing unscathed.
Austrian international defender Pogatetz, who has not played since undergoing knee surgery in April, managed a 60-minute run-out for the second string as they went down 2-1 to Leeds United at the Riverside on Wednesday, while French midfielder, Digard, also played for an hour in the game.
Digard could be back in the squad for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash against Championship leaders West Brom at the Riverside, while Pogatetz's return is likely to be after next month's international break.
He told the Gazette: "I am pretty pleased with how I played because it was my first game back after a long time.
"I got through 60 minutes and that was the plan. I could have played longer but we had to stick to the plan.
"It's hard when you're injured and at the moment this is the biggest injury I have had so far. I have kept working hard but I am nearly at the end of the road and I am looking forward to playing games for the first team quite soon.
"There's still some work to do but I'm not far off now."
Pogatetz's next battle will be to force his way into the Boro back line, which has helped the side to second in the table after seven games, and take the captain's armband off David Wheater.
He added: "I think Wheats has coped with the captaincy really well. I think the fans like to see him go out as captain because he is a local lad.
"They really like him and he always gives his best for the club so I was pleased to see him take the armband.
"But I have been at the club now for quite a long time and have played a lot of games and I think it would be very nice if I could captain the club again in the future."