Middlesbrough vs Derby County preview - Woodgate return boosts Boro - 7M sport

Middlesbrough vs Derby County preview - Woodgate return boosts Boro



Posted Friday, December 12, 2014 by PA

Jonathan Woodgate could return for Middlesbrough as they welcome leaders Derby to the Riverside.

Boro would go above the Rams with a win - though to go top they would need favourable results in the games at Bournemouth and Bolton - and are boosted by the return of their skipper from a hamstring injury.

Woodgate is likely to be on the bench, a place manager Aitor Karanka will be absent from as he serves a one-match touchline ban for pushing fourth official David Coote during his side's 1-1 draw with Blackburn in November.

Rhys Williams has returned to first-team training this week having been sidelined for 10 months with a ruptured Achilles and Karanka hopes the defender will play a part over the busy Christmas period.

Richard Keogh will return to the Derby squad but the Rams captain could face a battle to regain his place in the starting line-up.

The Republic of Ireland international has trained this week after missing the 3-0 victory over Brighton with a hamstring strain. Ryan Shotton and Jake Buxton formed the centre-back pairing against the Seagulls and Keogh's return sees three players vying for two positions at the heart of the back four.

In another example of the strength and depth at the disposal of Derby head coach Steve McClaren, Will Hughes, Jordon Ibe and Jamie Ward will also be pushing for recalls to the starting line up.

Hughes and Ibe were dropped to the bench last weekend while Ward made his return from an eight-match absence with a thigh injury as a second-half substitute against Brighton.



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