By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
Gareth Southgate is facing a nervous wait ahead of Middlesbrough¡¯s Premier League match with Aston Villa on Saturday as he hangs on the fitness of three important players.
Julio Arca, Mido and Fabio Rochemback are all major injury worries for Southgate as he prepares for a tough test at The Riverside.
On a brighter note for the Boro boss Andrew Taylor is ready to turn out for the Teessiders following a painkilling injection in his foot.
However, the potential absence of the trio, who will face last-minute fitness tests, could pose a major problem for a side who have not won a league game since the start of September.
¡°Arca, Mido and Rochemback are not ready at the moment, but they are making progress and we¡¯ll wait until the last possible minute before making a decision,¡± said Boro coach Colin Cooper.
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¡°Obviously it¡¯s a big bonus to get players of this quality back on the pitch, or even on the bench.
¡°Arca is back in full training but Saturday¡¯s game may come a little too early for him.
¡°Obviously he has been fantastic for us and it was a big blow when he was injured, so we are looking forward to his return.
¡°Mido started like a house on fire but has had one or two niggles since.
¡°But we are getting closer to having key personnel back in the squad and we are looking forward to the chance to getting players back on the pitch again.¡±
Emmanuel Pogatetz could also be an outside chance for a starting spot having made his return to action as a substitute against Bolton almost two weeks ago.