Boro v Bolton preview

Southgate: Unbeaten in five

Skysports.com prediction: Middlesbrough 2 Bolton 1
Sky Bet odds: Middlesbrough 4/5 Draw 5/2 Bolton 7/2
One to Watch: Tuncay Sanli
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Middlesbrough put their five-match unbeaten run on the line against Bolton at The Riverside.

Gareth Southgate's side have responded well to being drubbed at home by Chelsea by securing wins over Manchester City and Aston Villa along with holding Blackburn, West Ham and Everton.

Bolton meanwhile saw their two-game winning streak ended by Liverpool on home soil last weekend, a result that left them just a point above the drop zone.

Prior to Bolton's 1-0 win at The Riverside last season, courtesy of Gavin McCann's winner, Boro had won their previous two league home meetings with The Trotters, scoring nine goals in the process.

Defender recall?

Southgate could recall David Wheater at the heart of Boro's defence with Emmanuel Pogatetz's recent partner Chris Riggott doubtful with a hamstring strain.

Boro captain Pogatetz pulled out of Austria's midweek clash against Turkey with a slight knee strain, but is expected to be fit for the weekend visit of Bolton.

Stewart Downing played the whole of England's 2-1 friendly win in Germany and Southgate will be hoping the winger maintains the performance he displayed in Berlin, where he was a contender to claim the Man of the Match award.

Jeremie Aliadiere should return to Boro's starting XI after being forced out of their draw at Goodison Park last Sunday through illness, while Mido (groin) could also make his long-awaited return.

Fitness tests

Bolton manager Gary Megson will check on the fitness of Ricardo Gardner and Danny Shittu ahead of their trip to the North East.

The duo were away on international duty with Jamaica and Nigeria respectively and will be checked out by the club's medical stuff before being cleared to play.

Megson will definitely be without midfielder Joey O'Brien (thigh) although he is crossing his fingers Ebi Smolarek (illness) and Gretar Steinsson (injury) will be available.

Riga Mustapha could be available after shaking off the knock he collected against Manchester City while striker Heidar Helguson has joined QPR in an emergency loan.

Possible starting XIs

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, O'Neill, Digard, Downing, Alves, Tuncay.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andy O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, Muamba, Nolan, McCann, Gardner, Davies, Elmander.