EMANUEL Pogatetz could make a dramatic return for Boro against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The Boro defender has stepped up his training, despite suffering a broken cheekbone when playing against Plymouth Argyle just three weeks ago.
Pogatetz has been fitted with a protective plastic face mask and will seek permission to wear it during Championship games.
New boss Gordon Strachan brought the Austrian straight back into the side following his arrival on Teesside, but it ended in agony for Pogatetz when he was stretchered off in the second half of the match against the Pilgrims.
Strachan is well aware of the experience that Pogatetz offers the side, and will be happy to have him back in the squad if the defender is given the all-clear by Boro’s medical men.
Pogatetz’s fellow defender Chris Riggott also took another step towards pushing for a return to the first team squad yesterday.
Riggott played for Boro reserves in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Leeds United reserves at Thorp Arch, which Boro won 4-3.
Andrew Taylor scored in his second successive reserve team game, while other goals came from Gary Martin, Shaun Saiko and Josh Walker.
Didier Digard was another experienced Boro player to take part in the game.
