Middlesbrough insist that Mido and Tuncay Sanli could both still be fit for Sunday's clash with Manchester City.
Tuncay and Mido could still make weekend clash
Middlesbrough insist that Mido and Tuncay Sanli could both still be fit for Sunday's clash with Manchester City.
It was widely reported that neither Mido and Tuncay would make the game at Eastlands due to their hamstring and leg injuries.
But first-team coach Colin Cooper is refusing to rule either player out.
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"All we can do is give them as long as we possibly can," he said.
"Obviously we want people fit and if the medical staff dictate they can turn out on the training pitch on Thursday or Friday then we can pick them for Sunday. But if they don't, there's nothing we can do about it.
"We'll know later in the week which ones turn out on the training pitch and that will be the only time we as coaches know when they'll be fit to play."
"I don't think Mido's got any tear of any description so it's a case of giving him every opportunity.
"Tuncay was out on the training pitch today having a jog round so you just don't know. If they're fit, they'll play if they're not, they won't."
Meanwhile, Boro are looking into recalling goalkeeper Ross Turnbull from his loan spell at Cardiff City after number two Brad Jones suffered a hamstring injury.
"Things like that can happen in any game but Brad's a big strong lad and he'll be with us if he can be but again that will be down to what the medical people say," added Cooper.
However, because Turnbull is on a season-long loan there is a doubt as to whether Boro would be entitled to recall him just to become Mark Schwarzer's understudy.
If Boro cannot use Turnbull, then they do have England Under-19 goalkeeper Jason Steele to call upon.
