Middlesbrough vs Millwall preview - No new worries for Karanka

Posted Monday, March 02, 2015 by PA

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka will head into Tuesday night's vital Sky Bet Championship clash with Millwall with no fresh injury concerns.

Boro emerged from a disappointing trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline, and although they remain in second place and just two points behind leaders Derby, Norwich have closed the gap between themselves and the chasing pack to just a single point.

But as they prepare for the Lions' visit to the Riverside Stadium, Karanka will have only his usual suspects missing. Central defender Daniel Ayala is closing in on a return from his thigh injury, but remains some way away from contention.

But apart from Ayala, only long-term casualties Damia Abella (knee) and Rhys Williams (Achilles) remain on the sidelines.

Millwall are hoping Diego Fabbrini and Gary Taylor-Fletcher will be fit.

Midfielder Fabbrini limped off towards the end of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Rotherham, shortly after striker Taylor-Fletcher had to be substituted due to a head wound.

Austrian forward Stefan Maierhofer will also be checked over after missing out at the weekend with a quad injury.

Former Boro midfielder Nicky Bailey is close to fitness after a calf problem but Carlos Edwards, Paris Cowan-Hall (both knee), Lee Martin (foot) and Shaun Cummings (groin) are set to miss out again.