Gareth Southgate has no plans to rush Mido's return to first-team action.
Striker plays 45 minutes for reserves
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has no plans to rush Mido's return to first-team action.
Mido has not played for Boro since October because of a groin injury, but he featured for the reserves on Tuesday evening.
The Egypt international is now closing in on a comeback, however Southgate is remaining cautious about risking Mido in Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie at Mansfield Town.
"It was the next step up from training for Mido and it was good to see him back on the pitch again," Southgate told the club's official website.
Boost
"The plan was always to give him just 45 minutes.
"We will have to make sure there is no reaction and then we'll decide what the next step will be.
"He needs training and he needs football. I can't say at this stage when he will be back in the first-team squad because he is being assessed day to day at the moment.
"Whenever he does return he will give us a lift, but it has to be the right time. We have to bring him back at the right speed."
