Norwich City vs Middlesbrough preview - Boro to assess Bamford - 7M sport

Norwich City vs Middlesbrough preview - Boro to assess Bamford



Posted Sunday, May 24, 2015 by PA

Striker Patrick Bamford is facing a race against time to be fit for Middlesbrough's Sky Bet Championship play-off final clash with Norwich.

The 21-year-old forward was an unused substitute for the 3-0 victory over Brentford last Friday night, which confirmed the Teessiders' trip to Wembley, after struggling to overcome a persistent ankle problem.

Bamford has not trained this week but is expected to be available for selection as head coach Aitor Karanka assesses his options.

Ben Gibson has returned to training after being laid low by a bout of tonsillitis earlier in the week and is not a concern for the Spaniard.

Fellow central defender Jonathan Woodgate was handed a late cameo role against Brentford in what seems likely to be his final appearance at the Riverside Stadium and the 35-year-old's swansong could come in Boro's biggest game since they were relegated in 2009.

Striker Lewis Grabban returns to the Norwich squad after a three-game suspension.

Grabban missed the final league match at home to Fulham and the two-legged play-off semi-final against East Anglia rivals Ipswich following his dismissal at former club Rotherham.

It remains to be seen whether Grabban will go straight back into the starting line-up, with Cameron Jerome scoring in the 3-1 win over Ipswich at Carrow Road which booked their place at Wembley.

Graham Dorrans will be eyeing a start after a second-half substitute appearance last Saturday, with Gary Hooper again likely to be on the substitutes bench.



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