Hackney doubtful for Boro's trip to Blackburn

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg says he does not know if Hayden Hackney will be fit for his side's lunchtime trip to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Hackney limped off during the home draw with Bristol City six days ago with a calf injury when Boro were leading, only for them to concede an injury-time equaliser.

"Hayden's not at his best but we see that he's getting better," Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees.

"I have no good answers in terms of if he plays and he can be in the squad or it takes two weeks more."

The 23-year-old has featured in all 38 of Boro's Championship games this season, scoring five goals, as they sit second, two points clear of both Ipswich Town and Millwall.

But captain Dael Fry is back in training, having missed Boro's last two games after going off early in the win at QPR on 8 March.

The 28-year-old defender has only made 14 league starts in a stop-start campaign but there is no doubting his influence according to Hellberg.

"Dael is a player who cares very, very much about the team in a very good way," said Hellberg.

"It's good to have him back. He's very important and he's a player you love to coach and love to have in your team, but that's not been a possibility all the time.

"We're trying to get there, he's getting better and better and now he's fit again."