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Hoyte blow for Boro

Image: Hoyte: Blow

Middlesbrough's Justin Hoyte looks set to miss Saturday's clash against his former club Arsenal.

Knee injury for right-back

Middlesbrough's Justin Hoyte looks set to miss Saturday's clash against his former club Arsenal. Hoyte was geared up to face his old club, who he left in August to join Boro. However, he has suffered a knee injury in training and is now a major doubt for the game. He joins Mido and Gary O'Neil on the sidelines, who will again be missing after failing to overcome their recent injuries. Robert Huth and Chris Riggott have chances to make it, but if they are not fit then manager Gareth Southgate is left with few options in defence. With David Wheater suspended, that would leave just captain Emanuel Pogatetz and Andrew Taylor available from his normal back-line. However, Tony McMahon is back with the club following his successful loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday and both Seb Hines and Matthew Bates are fit again and could also push for inclusion against The Gunners. Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Shawky could also be available.

Trialists impress

Meanwhile, Boro have confirmed that they do have an interested in signing MFK Kosice trialists Nemanja Matic and Jurj Hovancik - although they insist no deal is yet in place. "We've had these two lads here over the last few days and they both look decent players, but we will need a bit more time before we make any decisions," said Boro's assistant manager Malcolm Crosby. "I've been impressed with Matic. He's a good footballer, a big, tall boy and he looks a good player "Hovancik is a younger lad who has impressed me greatly. I like him very much and think all the coaching staff have been impressed. "He's got a lovely attitude for a young player and he looks like a good prospect. "We will have to make decisions on them soon and it will all depend on how much the club (Kosice) want for these players. "But up to now I have been pleased and you would have to seriously look at signing them."

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