Van den Berg, Howson, Engel and more - Middlesbrough injury round-up for Sunderland trip

Rav van den Berg of Middlesbrough
-Credit: (Image: Paul Currie/REX/Shutterstock)


Middlesbrough are hopeful Rav van den Berg and Jonny Howson will be able to return to the squad for Saturday's highly-anticipated clash with Sunderland, with Michael Carrick leaving a decision as late as possible on the key duo's potential returns.

The pair have been absent for Boro's last three league games, with Howson also sitting out an extra game against Derby County (Van den Berg's last appearance). Both picked up leg muscle injuries, with Howson limping off in the Carabao Cup clash against Leeds United, while Van den Berg suffered an issue late on in the defeat at Pride Park.

The pair had been pushing to be available for Boro's trip to Sunderland on Saturday for the Wear-Tees derby, with Riley McGree returning to the match-day squad last weekend. While Marcus Forss, Darragh Lenihan and Dael Fry aren't expected to be back, there's a chance for Van den Berg and Howson.

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Carrick said: "Jonny and Rav are a little bit closer but whether they’ll be close enough is a bit of a push but we will wait and see. All the rest of the boys are a little bit further away yet."

Boro have also been without Lukas Engel for their last two games - with the left-back missing games against Cardiff City and Preston North End either side of the international break. His exit from the team came after a difficult period as he struggled for form, with Neto Borges rushed in from Clermont Foot in France to fill his spot in the team, while Alex Bangura faces almost the entirety of the campaign.

But explaining how Engel's issue had been ongoing for much of the season, Carrick said: "He’s had a bit of a pelvic issue on and off for a little bit throughout pre-season. So we are just seeing what the issue is, if there is one, and we’ll get him back pretty soon."