Michael Reiziger has returned to training, but Stuart Parnaby is out for three months.
Middlesbrough have been boosted by the return to training of Michael Reiziger, but his right back rival Stuart Parnaby is set for three months on the sidelines.Dutch star Reiziger has not been seen in a Boro shirt since aggravating a shoulder injury against Arsenal in August.
An exploratory operation revealed major damage and prompted reconstructive surgery.
The former Barcelona man has made steady progress and has now been given the green light to step up his training regime.
Parnaby has acted as an able deputy to Reiziger, but he suffered a broken leg during training ahead of last week's Uefa Cup win over Egaleo.
Club doctors have now confirmed that Parnaby is unlikely to return to action before February, which will see Boro's FA Youth Cup winning captain Tony McMahon taking on a more prominent role in Steve McClaren's plans.
McClaren, meanwhile, is anxiously awaiting scans on Spanish star Gaizka Mendieta's knee.
The midfielder was stretchered off against Portsmouth on Sunday, having jarred his knee in a tackle, and the full extent of the injury will be known later in the week.
