Middlesbrough handed major boost ahead of crucial Stoke City clash

Middlesbrough have been given a big boost ahead of their crucial match up with Stoke City this weekend, with Dael Fry set to return to action.

As per The Northern Echo, Boro medical staff gave the defender the green light to feature in this weekend’s match.

This news comes after Chris Wilder confirmed that the defender was training ahead of the weekend.

“Dael trained yesterday and he’s come through.” Wilder said, via The Northern Echo.

“I just spoke to the physios and he will train today.”

The 24-year-old’s return will be a welcomed one for Wilder.

Fry has been crucial for Boro at the back this season, making 34 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The centre-back missed Boro’s last four matches with a calf injury, with Sol Bamba deputising in his absence.

This weekend’s Championship match with Stoke City is another crucial match for Boro, with any slip up’s potentially ending their play-off hopes for 2021/22.

At the moment, Chris Wilder’s side sit just outside of the play-off places, two points behind Wilder’s former side Sheffield United in sixth.

Fry aside, the Middlesbrough boss has also confirmed that there are no other injury concerns ahead of the fixture.

The Verdict

Dael Fry returning this weekend is great news for Middlesbrough and their fans.

He has been crucial for them at the back this season and to have him return from injury for the two biggest games of the club’s season is a big boost ahead of the fixtures.

Injuries at this stage of the season, after a long, gruelling Championship campaign are commonplace, so for Boro to have a clean bill of health going into this one is positive news.

There can be no excuses for Wilder’s side if they slip up now.

Source