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Boro duo set to be asked to silence Gunners
Middlesbrough, 11:47, December 12, 2008 ,
Chris Riggott and Robert Huth may be risked by Boro boss Gareth Southgate as he has a defensive injury crisis for the visit of Arsenal.
The central defensive duo have trained this week following their return from respective hamstring and foot problems, but Southgate would probably have preferred them to have more recovery time under their belts before being thrust into first-team action.
However with David Wheater suspended after his red card at Hull and first-choice full-backs Justin Hoyte and Andrew Taylor big doubts due to respective knee problems, the boss might have no choice but to call on at least one of Huth or Riggott.
Southgate will probably want to keep skipper Emanuel Pogatetz in one of the central defensive roles so that means 20-year-old Seb Hines could feature in the left-back spot for his first Premier League start of the season. Tony McMahon - back from a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday - could get the right-back role unless Matthew Bates is considered for a first top-flight start since May 2006 following a catalogue of injury problems.
Southgate told the Gazette: "We have a few final decisions to make, but the great thing is that there are options.
"We have Chris Riggott and Robert Huth back in training with us this week and they are likely to be part of the squad.
"Tony McMahon has had a tough couple of years with two broken legs but we have got him back in the fold and playing regular football again.
"Matthew Bates is also back in the first team squad after missing two years of football, while Seb Hines is available again and Rhys Williams will soon be with us.
"We had a very young bench at Hull last week because we have more or less skipped a generation lately because of injuries.
"But we will get more experience into the squad from the players who have come back, and it's a bonus for us."
There is also disappointment for Southgate in other areas of his squad as Gary O'Neil and Mido have not recovered from their respective hamstring problems in time to face Arsene Wenger's men.