Middlesbrough prepare for Wolves with injury updates and internationals back

Summarised from 2 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 15:31 · Archive

Middlesbrough face Wolves on Saturday with most international players returning, though centre-back Alfie Jones will miss the next three games.

Middlesbrough are preparing for their first match in three weeks against Wolves at the Riverside on Saturday, the fixture marking the club's 150th anniversary. Most of the squad's seven international players have returned to training during the extended break, with only striker David Strelec arriving later on Thursday.

Centre-back Alfie Jones remains sidelined with a calf injury picked up in the victory over Norwich City. He missed games against Millwall and Birmingham City before the international break and withdrew from the Canada squad, but will not participate in matches this week. Head coach Kim Hellberg said: "Alfie is on his way back but will not participate in the games this week. But he is getting closer to being back." He is expected to miss fixtures against Stoke City and Cardiff City in the following seven days.

Hellberg expressed satisfaction with how the squad used the three-week break, particularly for fringe players and recent signings. Rokas Pukstas, Sam Byram and Connor Barron, who arrived in the summer transfer window, had extra training time to integrate tactically. Tommy Conway and Kyle Joseph, who missed pre-season with ankle injuries, were also able to use the period to build match fitness. The manager challenged his squad to use their work during the break to push for more regular game-time.

How it is being reported

• Middlesbrough predicted team for Wolves as Kim Hellberg faces post-break dilemmasHow we think Middlesbrough could line-up against Wolves on SaturdayTeessideLive · 9 Oct, 17:10
• Middlesbrough's near six-month wait highlights key area for Kim Hellberg's side to improveKim Hellberg needs to find more consistency from his Middlesbrough sideTeessideLive · 9 Oct, 14:59
• 'Up the Boro' - Hellberg feels the love as leaderHead coach Kim Hellberg says he knows just how special Middlesbrough is as the club celebrates its 150th anniversary.BBC Tees · 9 Oct, 14:57
• Middlesbrough internationals round-up: Goals, assists and praise for the seven players awayA look at how the seven Middlesbrough players away on international duty did during the breakTeessideLive · 9 Oct, 10:13
• Kim Hellberg sets the challenge as five Middlesbrough players particularly benefit from breakMiddlesbrough have had a three-week break to prepare for WolvesTeessideLive · 9 Oct, 06:00
• Middlesbrough injury update with one confirmed Wolves absentee and international players statusKim Hellberg updates in injuries ahead of Saturday's clash with Wolves at the RiversideTeessideLive · 8 Oct, 16:40
• Biggest task now facing Kim Hellberg after 'mini pre-season' helps late Middlesbrough signingsKim Hellberg will now have a much clearer picture of every player in his squadTeessideLive · 8 Oct, 12:30
• Kyle Joseph's Middlesbrough hope as he learns new role expectations under Kim HellbergKyle Joseph has largely played to the left of the central striker in a Boro shirtTeessideLive · 8 Oct, 08:00

In this story: Middlesbrough · Wolves · Kim Hellberg · Alfie Jones · Will Lankshear · Amario Cozier-Duberry · Ashley Phillips · Riverside Stadium

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