Middlesbrough defender Julio Arca is struggling to make the npower Championship clash with Portsmouth at the Riverside Stadium. The 29-year-old Argentinian limped out of the 3-1 midweek defeat at Derby with a groin problem and is a major doubt. However, midfielder Kevin Thomson has a chance of making the squad after returning to training following his recovery from a fractured fibula. Manager Gordon Strachan will hope to have options with his forwards with Scott McDonald looking to shake off the virus which kept him out of the game at Pride Park, where Kris Boyd scored on his return to the team alongside Leroy Lita. However, Justin Hoyte (hamstring), Jonathan Franks (herniated disc), Willo Flood (knee) and Rhys Williams (pelvis) are still out, while loan signing Matt Kilgallon has returned to parent club Sunderland with a back problem.
Source: PA
Source: PA