Southgate - Tuncay keen to play

Tuncay: Progressing well

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admits Tuncay Sanli is champing at the bit to return to first-team action.

Tuncay has been sidelined since damaging medial ligaments in his knee in Turkey's World Cup qualifier with Belgium early last month.

He was expected to be ruled out until the end of October, but is ahead of schedule in his recovery and could return against Chelsea next weekend.

Southgate feels the attacker could be involved against the current Premier League leaders and has praised the player's attitude during his rehabilitation.

"It's a possibility," said Southgate on the club's official website when asked if he will feature against Chelsea. "He's progressing very well.

Wants to play

He added: "Tuncay had a couple of weeks in Turkey when he was injured and I think that this helped him a lot in his recovery programme.

"We knew it would help us because they hoped that Tuncay might be fit to play in their World Cup qualifiers starting this weekend.

"It was always a long shot, but they did a lot of work with him and eventually he came back to us last week.

"Since then he has worked solidly morning and afternoon with us at Rockliffe Park.

"He's done that even though he's not one for enjoying his time in the physio's room. He wants to play."