There was talk of a defensive crisis at Middlesbrough when Ryan Shotton and Aden Flint were both sidelined with injury, but the Boro boss has since given an update on the duo.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Millwall on Saturday, Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis spoke about both Shotton and Flint, and gave the fans the positive update they wanted to hear.
“Flinty and Shotts came out and trained yesterday for the first time with us,” he said.
“Whether they are ready Saturday is another thing.
“We have to be a bit careful with Flinty because he’s an old-fashioned player, he just wants to play and that’s a good thing.”
The game at the weekend at The Riverside may come too soon for both defenders, and advised although both are facing time on the treatment table, they are very different injuries.
“Shotts is different because it’s a knee injury, a bit more manufactured.
“They’ve both worked hard, and fingers crossed they’ve seen the back of injuries for this season.
“But it’s good to get them back in the group. It gives us that strength in depth that you need at this level.”
Dani Ayala and Danny Batth were the preferred centre-back pairing as Middlesbrough beat Birmingham City 2-1 at St. Andrews last weekend, with Dael Fry deputising at right-back in place of Shotton. The Teessiders’ defence has been their key asset so far this season, conceding the least amount of goals in the entire Championship division.
