Injured Boro players could return for Preston game

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg says several players could return from injury for Saturday's Championship game against Preston North End (12:30 GMT).

Boro have had to cope with a significant injury list - Alfie Jones, Darragh Lenihan, George Edmundson, Callum Brittain, Alex Bangura, Riley McGree, David Strelec and Kaly Sene have all been absent in recent weeks and months.

"I don't know if someone is ready to start but there will be some players back," Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees.

"If they are not back this week, they will be back the next week so it is looking much better for us."

The Teesside club have won their past three league games to sit two points above third-placed Ipswich Town and now face their third game in just over a week.

However, the side's most recent performances have shown the Swede that a congested schedule should not affect how his side perform.

"It cannot be an excuse for us to not bring the best of [our] energy, it cannot be an excuse for someone to not be ready to play," Hellberg added.

"We know that is how it is and we need to bring all the energy in the world to perform. That demands even more from us in that amount of time and how I balance the squad is key."

Listen to the full interview and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.