Middlesbrough likely to pull out of Sydney FC match

Middlesbrough seem almost certain to pull out of a proposed pre-season journey to Australia to play Sydney FC.

Boro are in danger of being relegated from the Premier League and believe that it is not an ideal time to undertake such travel plans.

The match between the Teessiders and the Sky Blues was set for July 18 or 19 at Sydney Football Stadium but is in doubt of going ahead.

"We had an offer to play games there (Australia), including against Sydney, but the football department felt such a long journey would not be ideal preparation for the new season,” a spokesman told Middlesbrough’s official website.