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McDonald battling to make Boro bow
Middlesbrough, 12:26, February 9, 2010 ,
Gordon Strachan is waiting to see if new signing Scott McDonald is fit to make his Middlesbrough debut against Barnsley on Tuesday.
The Boro boss snapped up the 26-year-old Australian international from his former club Celtic before the transfer window closed on February 1, but a reaction to a recent hernia operation meant he did not make his debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich. And, while Strachan insists McDonald is still not 100% fit, he will leave it up to the player to decide if he is able to face the Tykes at the Riverside.
Julio Arca missed the Ipswich game as he has needed a series of injections on a toe problem to get through recent games, but the Argentinian could return to the squad, while Barry Robson is available following a one-match ban.
Saturday's goal hero David Wheater faces a late fitness test on a knock picked up at Portman Road, while striker Lee Miller, central defender Stephen McManus and right-back Kyle Naughton are all in line to make their home debuts.