Colchester will be without suspended forward Clive Platt when they host Barnsley in the Championship at Layer Road.
The summer signing from MK Dons starts a 3 match ban after failing in an appeal to have a pre season red card overturned.
Teddy Sheringham is available after sitting out the midweek Carling Cup defeat by Shrewsbury, and the Us hope one or both of fellow frontmen Kevin Lisbie (ankle) and Jamie Guy (thigh) will return to partner the former England international.
Midfielder Kevin Watson has stepped up his training following an Achilles injury however Saturday's clash comes too soon, whilst back up goalie Aidan Davison (back) is still missing.
Hungarian defender Bela Balogh is back in training after breaking his nose in pre season, and expects to be involved sooner rather than later.
Barnsley hope to include latest signing Kim Christensen in their team providing they receive international clearance.
The former Odense BK forward, the 11th new summer arrival at Oakwell, will further increase manager Simon Davey's attacking options with Kayode Odejayi, Istvan Ferenczi and Miguel Mostto all vying for starting places.
Davey has no new injury or suspension problems, however must decide whether to recall goalie Nick Colgan to the side or stick with new signing Heinz Muller, who made his debut in the Carling Cup win.
German defender Dominik Werling will be hoping to retain his place, whilst Sam Togwell and Grant McCann will be pushing for starts.
The Tykes will be looking to build on their midweek Carling Cup triumph over Darlington at Layer Road following their heavy opening day home defeat to Coventry.
14 August 2007
Barnsley manager Simon Davey mentioned that he is frustrated by the delay in gaining international clearance for goalie Heinz Muller.
The Reds signed Muller from Lillestrom last week and Davey's hoping he is cleared to play in time for Tuesday's Carling Cup tie against Darlington.
Davey informed BBC Radio Sheffield, "It is disappointing he would not play on Saturday as all the paperwork was done. However, we are having to wait several days for his clearance to come through."
07 August 2007
James Morrison has completed a £1.5 million move from Boro to West Brom.
The Darlington born 21 year old, signed a 4 year contract after passing a medical at The Hawthorns earlier today.
The fee would rise by a further £700,000 depending on appearances, and Boro will also be due 15 per cent of any sell-on fee.
Morrison made 97 appearances for the Teessiders, scoring 8 goals and appearing in the UEFA Cup final.
07 August 2007
Fulham have failed with an undisclosed bid to sign Burnley forward Kyle Lafferty, as stated by Clarets manager Steve Cotterill.
The 19 year old is under contract at Turf Moor for 3 more years however Cottagers manager Lawrie Sanchez was keen to add another Ulsterman to his ranks.
However, Cotterill said, "We do not want to sell Kyle come what may, however there would obviously come a time if it ever got to a certain figure, that the club must look at it. Having mentioned that we do not want to sell him and we turned down Fulham's offer and we are not anticipating another one."
Lafferty has made 19 starts and 30 appearances from the substitute's bench for Burnley as well as playing 10 games for Darlington during a loan spell with the Quakers in early 2006.
07 August 2007
Andrew Davies last night vowed to answer Boro's defensive problems.
Boro will open their Premier League campaign with the visit of Blackburn Rovers on Saturday without 5 central defenders.
And such is the extent of Southgate's injury problems that the Boro manager has only Davies and David Wheater as his only recognised central defenders.
Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth, Emanuel Pogatetz, Matthew Bates and Chris Riggott are sidelined through injury.
Riggott returned to training this week following a foot injury, even though the defender is unlikely to be fit in time to face Rovers on Saturday.
And, whilst Southgate will be forced to start with his most inexperienced central defensive pairing, Davies is not fazed by the prospect.
The 22 year old impressed in Saturday's friendly triumph over AZ Alkmaar alongside Wheater, who finished last season on loan at Darlington in League Two.
The duo have never started a 1st team game in the heart of Boro's defence together, however Davies is well aware of Wheater's qualities.
"I played with David when I was younger and always feel very comfortable playing next to him," mentioned Davies.
"We are the only 2 left so we must do our best and keep a clean sheet like we did against Alkmaar. It is always good to win games, no matter what game you are playing in, and it was a bonus for us to keep a clean sheet. Obviously the manager has had a lot to think about with the amount of injuries we have had, however I am sure myself and David (Wheater) will be up to the challenge."
Southgate's defensive problems show no signs of easing in the short term with Woodgate not expects to return for another 3 weeks, whilst Pogatetz is out until Christmas following a cartilage operation.
Huth will return next month, however it is the absence of Woodgate that Davies thinks is the largest blow.
"He is a world class defender and will be a massive loss, however this is a sport and that is why you have squads," mentioned Davies.
"You cannot always stay fit and you cannot always have your best players fit all the time. Us young lads have got to step in and do our best and try and help the club."
And it will be an opportunity for Davies to prove his credentials in his more favoured position as a central defender.
It was at right back that the Teessider has made the most of his 45 Boro starts, even though Davies has already shown his central defensive attributes elsewhere, having impressed in loan spells at Derby County and QPR.
"I played a lot of games last season, however it was at right back so it is quite different going back in at centre half," mentioned Davies.
"But that is my best position and that is where I feel more comfortable so we will only must see how it goes."
Whilst Davies is well aware of the attacking threat Blackburn pose, the defender is optimistic about keeping the likes of Benni McCarthy at bay.
"Every game in the Premier League you have your work cut out and Blackburn will be no different," admitted that the Billingham born defender.
"They have some top players and I am sure they will make it very difficult for us. However, if we can perform to level we know we can and hopefully keep a clean sheet then it will be good to get off to a good start."
Meanwhile, the Teessiders are again being linked with a move for Portsmouth midfielder Gary O'Neil.
A transfer to the Riverside Stadium was mooted earlier in the summer, however Pompey manager Harry Redknapp has said the player will be staying at Fratton Park. Premier League rivals Fulham are also thought to be in the hunt for the 24 year old.
31 July 2007
Boro's James Morrison says that his intention to play for Scotland.
The Darlington born midfielder has played for England at youth level, however the 21 year old has now opted to play for Scotland following talks with Scots manager Alex McLeish.
"After having a chat with Alex McLeish I have chosen to play for Scotland," he informed the Daily Record.
"I was born in England and I think I would do a job for them however it was a question of how long I would like to wait. However, I have got the chance to help Scotland now and I am really looking forward to pulling on the shirt."
27 July 2007
Cardiff City are taking goalie Ross Turnbull on a season's long loan from Premier League side Boro.
The 22 year old, 6ft 4ins stopper has made 2 Premier League appearances and has also had loan spells at Darlington, Barnsley, Bradford and Crewe.
He is the 2nd keeper to join the Bluebirds in the summer, following the buy of the ex Wolves player Michael Oakes.
Irishman David Forde finished last season as number one.
Ross, from Newton Aycliffe, was an England youth international, and was with Middlesborough since he was a schoolboy.
27 July 2007
Boro defender Matthew Bates faces another long spell out after injuring his knee on his comeback.
England youth international Bates, 20, injured cruciate ligaments in his left knee only 25 minutes into his return in Tuesday's friendly at Darlington.
Bates had only spent 7 months out after tearing ligaments in his right knee whilst on loan at Ipswich.
Boro manager Gareth Southgate said, "We all feel for him, he has applied himself to get back into contention."
Bates, who has made 32 senior appearances for Boro, limped off at Darlington after appearing to twist his knee after landing.
Boro manager Southgate added, "He will get the best probable medical support from us as far as treatment and rehabilitation are concerned. We are all right behind him at this difficult time."
26 July 2007
Luke Young is poised to complete a £2.5 million transfer to Boro from Charlton after passing a medical.
England defender Young watched Boro triumph at Darlington in a friendly Tuesday as he waited to have completed the formalities of the deal.
The 28 year old has made over 200 appearances for the Addicks since signing from Spurs for £4 million in 2001.
Charlton manager Alan Pardew mentioned he would not prevent Young from leaving The Valley for a Premier League club.
He said, "I have got a lot of time for Luke and I appreciate he would like to play in the Premier League. If a decent club comes in and I thought the fee was right I'd let him go. I have obviously brought in a replacement already in Yassin Moutaouakil, who I feel will have given real competition to Luke if he stays."
Pardew added, "I know that if we do not get the right offer then he will stay and be as professional as he is. There is no bad feeling and he's not being difficult."
19 July 2007
Roy Keane says that he has finished his interest in signing Hearts goalie Craig Gordon.
Sunderland have already seen a £5 million offer knocked back by Hearts, however reports have claimed that a £9 million bid is in the offing.
Gordon's agent is unaware of any increased offer for the Scotland international, who was valued in the £10 million category.
Though Keane admitted that he could be prepared to spend that sum on a player, he mentioned that he is no longer looking to sign Gordon.
"No," Keane informed reporters after the friendly triumph at Darlington when asked if he would continue his interest in the keeper.
"Anyway, we already have 2 very good goalkeepers at the club, so it is not an issue. I will now be looking to strengthen other areas in the squad."
The Sunderland manager also said he is still hoping to add at least 2 more players to his team after making 5 new transfers to date.
Keane informed Sky Sports News, "We are working hard. As I mentioned the other day we hope to have, possibly by next week, another 2 or 3 players in. If we can get those 3 players in I will be more than happy, however we are working hard and I am quite happy with the players I have got."
