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Duo back to bolster battered Boro
Middlesbrough, 10:16, October 24, 2008 ,
Middlesbrough will have skipper Emanuel Pogatetz and influential striker Tuncay Sanli back to face Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday.
Boro travel to Lancashire for the early evening kick-off on the back of last Saturday's 5-0 Riverside mauling at the hands of Chelsea, but will be boosted by the return of two key players who have been sorely missed in recent weeks.
Pogatetz returns from a three-match suspension following his red card at Manchester United in the Carling Cup last month, while Tuncay has not played for Boro since the 2-1 win against Stoke on August 30 after picking up a knee injury on international duty with Turkey.
Boss Gareth Southgate is delighted to have Pogatetz back and also hailed the impact Tuncay can have on the team when he is fully fit.
He told the club's website: "It's great to have Tuncay back, especially because he was in such good form before his injury. He settled very well last season, started this season in great form, with a great display at Liverpool and scored a winner at Stoke but then he picked up the injury.
"He's a terrific player and it's good to have his ability and character back.
"He's fit to start if needed but he's not had a lot of training and been out for a long time. We've got three games this week. I've got to decide how much we use him and what's best for the player. We want him fit for as long as possible and not just one game."
Pogatetz is set to link up with Chris Riggott in the centre of defence, while David Wheater will move to right-back as Justin Hoyte is still missing. Tuncay will probably start on the bench which means Afonso Alves could be paired up front with Mido in attack.