Kevin Thomson is hopeful of an early return to Middlesbrough action after fracturing his fibula last month. The 25-year-old suffered the injury in a game against Leicester back in August and it was feared that he would be out of action for a couple of months.

However, the former Rangers man claims that he could be back to action a month earlier than expected.

He told the club's official website: "The lads have a double header coming up at QPR and at home to Burnley, but I would like to think I would be in contention for the game against Reading the Saturday after that.

"A lot depends on how things go over the next week to 10 days of course."