Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is hoping the virus affecting the squad will not hamper him once again on Saturday. Strachan gave his team a day off on Monday as he attempted to prevent the bug which had laid low defender Stephen McManus last weekend from spreading.

Strachan, whose side heads for Watford on Saturday, said: "We had viruses, injuries - you name it, we have got it.

"Scott was never going to make it, but then we lost Gary and Julio through illness, so everybody stays away from the ground.

"Gary should be okay for Thursday, but we will have to wait on Julio. Hopefully it will be cleared for Thursday, but if anybody else gets it, we will all stay away."