Captain Fab back for Gunners ahead of Boro clash (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Captain Fab back for Gunners ahead of Boro clash

5:23pm Friday 12th December 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

By Joe Johnson

ARSENAL will welcome back captain Cesc Fabregas for the trip to Middlesbrough tomorrow, along with several other first-team players who were rested during the Champions League loss to Porto.

The Spaniard has shaken off a knee injury while full-back Gael Clichy (hamstring), Robin van Persie (thigh) and the rested Emmanuel Adebayor should be available again along with defender Bacary Sagna (flu).

The Gunners will however, have to make do without Samir Nasri (ankle) and Kolo Toure (calf) as well as long-term absentees Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Thomas Rosicky (hamstring), while Eduardo remains sidelined but could return to competitive football for the reserves on the 16th December.

David Wheater is suspended for Middlesbrough while former Gunners right-back Justin Hoyte and left-back Andrew Taylor are both rated as "doubtful" with knee injuries.

Hoyte has been playing with his knee problem for some time and Southgate has revealed to the club's official website that he is likely to need an operation at some point.