O'Neil has made just one appearance for Boro this season

Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil hopes to return to first-team action on Saturday when Gordon Strachan's side travel to QPR in the Championship.

The 27-year-old has only made one appearance this season against Leicester last month.

But O'Neil told BBC Tees: "My knee has caused me a bit trouble, but hopefully we've got it sorted now.

"Hopefully that'll get me sharp and fit enough to be involved at the weekend," he added.

"I've had to limit what I do because it gets sore so I'm training for 45-60 minutes then working with the physio."

Central midfield has become something of a problem position for Strachan since he took over at Middlesbrough in October 2009, with a series of injures affecting his squad.

Kevin Thomson, Willo Flood and Mickael Tavares have arrived on Teesside to bolster the squad since Strachan's arrival, but Rhys Williams, Thomson, Flood and O'Neil have all been absent through injuries.

"We need our midfielders back," O'Neil continued. "In pre-season we looked as if we had too many, but we've not had enough.

"It shows that if you get three injuries in the same position, then anyone's going to struggle.

"We've got a bit of catching up to do, but it's still very early. I don't look at the league table too much, but hopefully we can get things going."

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