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Boro forward in line for Chelsea return
Middlesbrough, 13:20, October 11, 2008 ,
Middlesbrough striker Tuncay Sanli could be in line to return from injury in time to face Chelsea next Saturday.
The Turkish forward has been sidelined with a knee injury since September 10 when he picked up the problem on international duty, but he is fighting to be fit to face the Blues next weekend.
However Boro manager Gareth Southgate has insisted that Tuncay will only play if he feels ready, but also conceded that the North-east side had missed the 26-year-old's influence.
"Tuncay will know if he is ready or not," Southgate told the Gazette.
"Any team would miss a player with Tuncay's ability and enthusiasm.
"The energy he gives to the whole squad is huge."
Southgate went on to praise the work Tuncay has done at the Turkey national training centre, claiming it had helped the forward stay ahead of schedule on his road to recovery.
"Tuncay had a couple of weeks in Turkey when he was injured and I think that this helped him a lot in his recovery programme." added Southgate.
"We knew it would help us because they hoped that Tuncay might be fit to play in their World Cup qualifiers starting this weekend.
"It was always a long shot but they did a lot of work with him and eventually he came back to us last week.
"Since then he has worked solidly morning and afternoon with us at Rockliffe Park.
"He's done that even though he's not one for enjoying his time in the physio's room. He wants to play."