Julio return a boost for Boro

Gareth Southgate says he is delighted with the selection headache Julio Arca's return to fitness has given him at Middlesbrough.

The Boro boss recalled the Argentine playmaker to his starting XI for Saturday's goalless Tees-Tyne derby against Newcastle at the Riverside when Gary O'Neil had to drop out due to a slight hamstring injury problem. And Southgate feels Arca's performance against the Magpies left him feeling like he had a new signing in the team due to the player missing the first three months of the campaign following a pre-season foot injury he suffered at Hibernian.

O'Neil is expected to be available for the trip to Hull on Saturday so Southgate must decide which two will fit into the central midfield with Arca and the impressive Didier Digard all vying for a starting role.

Southgate told the Gazette: "I thought Julio was terrific against Newcastle and that's exactly what we wanted to see from him.

"We needed more competition in the centre of the park and now we've got it.

"Julio was out for a long time. He didn't have a proper pre-season and it took him a long time to shake off the injury.

"But he is a different type of player to anything else we have got.

"He is able to put his foot on the ball and slow the game down when it's needed. He's also very good at picking out the right pass, which helps the attacking players.

"We want to play good football, and Julio helps us in that respect.

"It's good to have him back and with Gary not too far away it increases the competition just in time for the most hectic part of the season."