Robert Huth could make a first team return before the end of the season Middlesbrough first team coach Colin Cooper told the Evening Gazette.

The German international has been sidelined with a foot injury since the draw at Arsenal on March 15 but Cooper remains hopeful that the defender may still have some part to play in the remaining four games this season.

"It would be great to think we could get him back on the pitch before the end of the season," Cooper said.

"When he's not playing, although the lads have done tremendously well, you miss someone with a presence like Robert," he added.

Huth has started just twelve games for Boro in an injury-hit second season at the club, with a further three appearances from the substitutes' bench.

And Cooper says the defender is determined to put his injury-jinx behind him and get back out onto the pitch.

"The medical staff have worked tirelessly with Robert since he walked through the door and he's responded and worked very hard," the coach said.

"I think in the time he's been here he's played 30 times - 21 starts and nine as a substitute - which isn't great and he's as frustrated as anybody."

"Whether or not he'll be ready for this weekend I don't know but I'd love to think we'll get him on the pitch again before the end of the season and that he'll be ready to go for next season."