BORO’S plans for Saturday’s visit of championship hopefuls Arsenal suffered a blow today with the news that Cameroon midfielder Geremi could miss out.
BORO’S plans for Saturday’s visit of championship hopefuls Arsenal suffered a blow today with the news that Cameroon midfielder Geremi could miss out.
The 24-year-old injured ankle ligaments during the first half of last week’s 0-0 draw at Manchester City.
But boss Steve McClaren is hopeful that he could yet be passed fit and if he is forced to miss out that he could return at West Ham on Monday.
« He doesn’t want to miss out and showed tremendous character to play on last week, » he said.
« We needed him to stay on to get a result and he did that. He’s doing everything possibole to make sure he’s there.
« He’s touch and go and he might train tomorrow and we’ll certainly give him every chance to get fit. There’s still time yet, who knows, come Saturday he may be there. »
McClaren also confirmed: « Stuart Parnaby (hamstring) and Michael Ricketts (Achilles) trained for the first time in a while today, they, together with George Boateng (ankle ligaments) will all have their fitness assessed in the build-up to the game before we make any decisions. »
Geremi, on loan for the season from Real Madrid, has been in outstanding form and Boro have made it clear they would like to make his transfer permanent.
McClaren knows it will be a tough test against the Gunners but he is hoping his team can continue the proud record that has made the Riverside the graveyard of championship contenders this season.
« We beat Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle here and we also drew with Chelsea and Everton, » he said.
« We’ve got a good record against the top boys and we want to maintain that. There’s no better team to come to the Riverside on Saturday than Arsenal.
« They are one of the top two teams in the country and the current champions. It will be a great game on Saturday and I’m really looking forward to it. »
New today on Boro World – Audio interviews with Colin Cooper, Mark Schwarzer and Steve McClaren.
