AUSTRALIAN international Brad Jones is expected to return between the posts for Middlesbrough in tomorrow's Championship game against Ipswich Town at the Riverside (kick-off 3pm).

Elvin King

AUSTRALIAN international Brad Jones is expected to return between the posts for Middlesbrough in tomorrow's Championship game against Ipswich Town at the Riverside (kick-off 3pm).

Jones has recovered from an ankle injury that has kept him out so far this season, and Boro manager Gareth Southgate is set to give him a start against the Blues.

This would see Danny Coyne, who was signed from Tranmere in the summer, drop down to the substitutes' bench after keeping four clean sheets in the opening five matches this season.

The 36-year-old has become a favourite of the Riverside fans after keeping 20 clean sheets to claim the League One Golden Gloves award at Tranmere last campaign.

“Brad is in full training and ready to play,” said Middlesbrough goalkeeping coach Stephen Pears. “In my time here, Brad is the only goalkeeper who does not need a reserve team game and he could go straight into a first team game without problem.

“It's a tough decision and Gareth has to make those decisions.

“Danny has had a problem with his back this week, so we'll see how things go. That decision will be made later today.”

Midfielder Julio Arca has been a thorn in Ipswich's side a number of times when on Sunderland's books and he is hoping that the Blues will open the game up tomorrow.

“You are going to have teams playing long balls and that kind of football but some of the others like to play football, and it's nice to play against teams like that.

“It's still as physical as always at this level but you see teams like Doncaster and Swansea, they try to play better football now.”

The 28-year-old Argentinian had two seasons in the Championship during his six-years at Sunderland and picked up a title medal at the end of the 2004/05 campaign.

Tomorrow's likely squads

Middlesbrough: Jones, Taylor, McMahon, Wheater, Grounds, Williams, Yeates, Johnson, Arca, Lita, Emnes, Coyne, Hoyte, Hines, Bennett, Franks, O'Neill, Aliadiere, Walker.

Ipswich Town: R Wright, Rosenior, Bruce, Balkestein, McAuley, Smith, Delaney, D Wright, Edwards, Leadbitter, Colback, Trotter, Healy, Martin, Walters, Stead, Lee-Barrett, Counago, Priskin, Wickham, Peters.

Referee: Mr K Friend (Leicestershire).