Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is hoping Matthew Bates will be able to step up the intensity of his training over the next month as he fights back from his third cruciate knee ligament injury.
"He is progressing well," said Southgate. "We wouldn't put a definite date on him returning to full training but we hope towards the end of pre-season that he will be starting to join in more with the rest of the lads."