Middlesbrough Vs Newcastle United, Sat 13 Mar 2010

Jeremie Aliadiere is out of Middlesbrough`s Tyne-Tees derby clash with Newcastle at the Riverside Stadium.

The French striker is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after breaking a toe in last weekend`s 1-0 defeat at Cardiff.

Fellow forward Scott McDonald`s fitness will be assessed following his return to training after a hernia operation.

Midfielder Willo Flood is expected to be sidelined with a knee injury he sustained against the Bluebirds, with the club waiting to learn the full extent of the damage.

Emanuel Pogatetz missed out last weekend with a knee problem of his own and is unlikely to feature but Chris Riggott (hamstring) has a chance of making the bench.

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton could be boosted by the return of Jose Enrique and Wayne Routledge for the derby trip.

Enrique returned after a seven-game lay-off with a hamstring injury against Barnsley last weekend, but lasted barely half an hour before he felt a tightness and was withdrawn as a precaution.

However, the Spaniard is expected to be fit as the Coca-Cola Championship leaders attempt to take another step towards promotion on Teesside.

Winger Routledge has sat out the last three matches with a calf problem but could also be included.

However, Alan Smith is likely to miss out with the ankle injury which kept him sidelined for the 6-1 rout of Barnsley, while Joey Barton has only 45 minutes of reserve-team action under his belt following a lengthy spell out.

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