Middlesbrough Vs Barnsley
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DATE: Tue 9 Feb 2010
TIME: 20:00
VENUE: The Riverside Stadium
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Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan will make a late decision on whether or not to include new signing Scott McDonald in his side to face Barnsley on Tuesday night.
The Australian missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich after suffering a reaction to his return to training following hernia surgery, and he will be assessed over the next 24 hours.
Midfielder Julio Arca is in a similar position after also sitting out at Portman Road with a toe problem.
Injuries continue to limit Strachan's options with Chris Riggott and Emanuel Pogatetz just back into light training after hamstring problems, while Jeremie Aliadiere is continuing his recovery from ankle surgery.
Utility man Rhys Williams is set to be sidelined for several weeks yet with a pelvic injury, while Seb Hines (ankle and knee ligament) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligament) remain on the long-term casualty list.
Barnsley will be without suspended defender Ryan Shotton.
Shotton, on loan from Stoke, was shown a straight red card following a late tackle on Lloyd Doyley in Saturday's win over Watford and will sit out the first game of a three-match ban.
Tykes manager Mark Robins is already without defensive duo Bobby Hassell (groin) and Rob Kozluk (knee) and could hand a rare first-team appearance to 20-year-old Luke Potter.
Striker Jay Rodriguez, a recent loan signing from Burnley, is hoping to make his first start, while strikers Jon Macken and Iain Hume, winger Adam Hammill and midfielder Jacob Butterfield were all unused substitutes on Saturday.
The Tykes are chasing a fourth win in their last five league matches in their bid to close in on the top six.
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