[DUlrich1227]

Middlesbrough v Fulham

The Riverside
Tuesday, 19 April
Kick-off: 2000 BST


Middlesbrough face a defensive crisis with Chris Riggott (ankle) and Stuart Parnaby (groin) struggling, but Ugo Ehiogu is available.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is also out with a back injury, but midfielder Bolo Zenden has a chance of returning after shaking off an ankle problem.

Fulham are inching towards safety and have no fresh injury worries.

Midfielder Claus Jensen is available after suspension but Mark Pembridge could keep his starting place.

Middlesbrough from: Jones, Knight, Queudrue, Taylor, Cooper, Riggott, Southgate, Ehiogu, Wheater, Davies, Boateng, Parlour, Zenden, Downing, Doriva, Kennedy, Johnson, Hasselbaink, Nemeth, Graham.

Fulham from: Van der Sar, Bocanegra, Goma, Pearce, Knight, Rosenior, Malbranque, Clark, Cole, Jensen, Boa Morte, Pembridge, Volz, John, Radzinski, McBride, Crossley.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren on how his side's run in Europe has affected their Premiership form:

"We have played 10 games more than the majority of people with the squad that we have got.
"But you have to play these games. That is the price you pay.

"We have suffered towards the end - and Newcastle have got it now - because of mounting injuries. That is why you need the squad."

Fulham striker Andrew Cole:
"I'm a bit older. I'm not playing at the pinnacle anymore so I can enjoy it more. There's maybe not so much pressure.
"I'm still driven and that takes a lot out of you because I believe I can win things. It's the way I am.

"If not I may as well hang up my boots. I have to play to win."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

MIDDLESBROUGH and Fulham are two sides with patchy form, and who have never met outside the League.

One win in six League outings, and three defeats in four, has seen the Teessiders all but drop out of the race for Champions League football. Now they need points to ensure they do not miss out on a second successive season in the Uefa Cup.

Mark Viduka made a dream debut for the Middlesbrough when these sides met at Craven cottage in August. The Australia striker broke the deadlock, and substitute Szilard Nemeth added a late second as Fulham failed to put up much resistance. Boro are now on course to do the 'doube over Fulham for the seventh time in their history, but first time in the top division.

FULHAM head for the north east aiming to end a run of four consecutive away League defeats.

Chris Coleman's side have only collected maximum points once in nearly three months, and have been hovering just above the danger line. They have a seven point cushion, but still have to go to Chelsea, host Everton and Newcastle, visit Blackburn and end with what might be a vital against Norwich at Craven Cottage.

Joseph-Desire Job marked his return to league action after a serious knee injury by scoring the opener in last season's corresponding fixture. Szilard Nemeth doubled the advantage from close range and Barry Hayles grabbed a last-minute consolation. Fulham have not recorded a maximum on Teesside since the 0-2 triumph in the old Second Division on 24 March 1984. Since then they've lost five and drawn one of their six subsequent visits.