Bates' last appearance came in Boro's 2-1 defeat by West Ham in May 2009

Middlesbrough utility man Matthew Bates is confident he is finally ready to return to action after a 10-month absence with a knee injury.

The 23-year-old's last appearance for the Teessiders came on the final day of their 2008-09, having missed the entire campaign last term through recovery.

"My legs feel better now than they did when I was playing in the Premier League," Bates told BBC Tees.

"There's nothing that I can't do, it's all up to the gaffer now."

Bates added: "I've been in the gym for 10 months and if I'm not ready to go out there onto the pitch and play then I never will be."

In Bates's absence, Boro endured a mixed campaign, which saw former boss Gareth Southgate part company with the club, and Gordon Strachan take over in October as the club battled for an immediate return to the Premier League after relegation.

Strachan's rebuilt side missed out on a Championship play-off spot, but with a full pre-season behind him, and the promise of further additions to come, Bates realises the significance of the promotion bid at the Riverside.

"It's a must this season - we have to go up," Bates said.

"I said to the lads if we didn't go up last year it would get harder to get out of this league, and the longer you're in the league, the longer it takes to get out.

"By the names that have been discussed that we're signing, that is what the manager thinks as well, and it's a make-or-break season for us."

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