Leeds United vs Middlesbrough - Alex Mowatt hopes to be fit for Leeds' clash with Middlesbrough

Posted Friday, February 12, 2016 by PA

Leeds midfielder Alex Mowatt is hoping to prove his fitness in time to face Middlesbrough.

Mowatt, who has missed the last four matches due to a thigh injury, was scheduled to play 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Sheffield United on Friday.

Head coach Steve Evans is still without Chris Wood as the striker works his way back from a second hamstring problem, which has kept him out of the last two games.

Full-back Gaetano Berardi (ankle) is expected to return to full training next week, while midfielder Luke Murphy and defender Sol Bamba are pushing for recalls.

January signing Jordan Rhodes is still waiting for his first Middlesbrough start after two appearances as a substitute since his B£9million switch from Blackburn.

However, his injury-time equaliser at MK Dons, which sent Boro back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table on Tuesday evening, may have persuaded head coach Aitor Karanka the time is right to throw him in.

Defender Daniel Ayala is battling his way back to full fitness after the ankle problem which saw him miss out in midweek and could return but full-back George Friend remains on the sidelines with a fractured shoulder blade.

Alex Baptiste, who suffered a double leg fracture in pre-season, is likely to step up his comeback in the reserves next week while fellow defender Damia Abella continues to work his way back from a knee ligament injury.