Preston v Boro preview

Cooper: Caretaker Boro boss

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• Middlesbrough
• Preston North End

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Middlesbrough begin life without Gareth Southgate with a difficult trip to Championship promotion rivals Preston on Saturday.

Boro sacked former boss Southgate after the midweek win over Derby and Colin Cooper will take caretaker charge for the trip to Deepdale.

Preston, though, will not be in a sympathetic mood and will want to take points in the race for a place in the Premier League.

The home side have been boosted by the news that Callum Davidson should make his long-awaited return from injury.

Davidson has been out since September after tearing his hamstring while playing for Scotland but is back in training and Alan Irvine, who has been linked with the vacant Boro job, is confident his skipper will be back on the pitch.

Davidson's return will see Andy Lonergan give up the captain's armband.

Paul Parry could start after being named as an unused substitute in the victory over Sheffield Wednesday as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Barry Nicholson remains out with a broken leg but Irvine has an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from.

Boro team news

Middlesbrough will have experienced midfielder Julio Arca at their disposal as the Argentine returns from suspension.

Seb Hines also sat out the game against the Rams with a knee injury and remains doubtful.

But skipper Emanuel Pogatetz has been an unused substitute for the last two games following his recovery from knee surgery and will hope for some involvement.

Long-term absentees Chris Riggott and Andrew Taylor (both ankle), Caleb Folan (hamstring) and Matthew Bates (knee) remain sidelined.