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SUNDERLAND v MIDDLESBROUGH TEAM NEWS
Boro head into the do or die clash with Sunderland with Gareth Southgate and Fabio Rochemback doubtful, both with ankle injuries. Lee Cattermole has sustained a dead leg and is also doubtful.
The trio will take late fitness tests this afternoon but Ugo Ehiogu is definitely ruled out of the trip to the Stadium of Light, along with Chris Riggott who has not recovered from a recent knock.
To cover for the mass shortage at the back, Andrew Davies had been recalled from his loan spell at Derby.
Boro's injury list also includes Jason Kennedy, George Boateng, James Morrison and Ray Parlour.
Sunderland defender Steve Caldwell is set to return after recovering from a hamstring injury and an eye infection.
George McCartney has hamstring trouble, Stephen Wright has injured a calf, Stephen Elliott is suffering from back trouble and Chris Brown has an ankle problem. All four will miss the match.
Steve McClaren told the press, "I have felt over the last few weeks there has been a coming together of the players. Teams in adversity have to stick together, ignore the media and certain sections of the fans, ignore what people are saying within the club. We cannot make excuses. Only we can get ourselves out of it and we have to decide to do that."
Mick McCarthy was philosophical. "Our performances, even though we have been losing matches, is what has kept me in my job. This is a great game with big pressure for both sides. We are both struggling and desperately need the points. We were outfought and we lost the battles all over the field against Brentford and I expect us to bounce back."
Sunderland Squad: Davis, Alnwick, Hoyte, D Collins, Nosworthy, Breen, Caldwell, N Collins, Bassila, Miller, Whitehead, Arca, Lawrence, Woods, Welsh, Stead, Le Tallec, Kyle, Gray, D Murphy.
Middlesbrough Squad: Schwarzer, Jones, Parnaby, Pogatetz, Taylor, Southgate, Bates, Wheater, Doriva, Downing, Mendieta, Johnson, Cattermole, Rochemback, Yakubu, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Maccarone.
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