Tommy Miller and Mark Venus both face fitness tests ahead of tonight's crucial Premiership clash with Middlesbrough. Injuries not only affect the home side with Boro missing a number of regulars.

For Town we understand that Miller is very doubtful while Venus may play a part in the game.

Fabian Wilnis has trained this week after missing out at Arsenal and may replace Titus Bramble at right-back.

Finidi George was injured in the Arsenal game after doing well in the first half while Sixto Peralta looks favourite to return to the starting line-up if Miller fails to make it.

Jim Magilton returns to the squad after his son's illness while Darren Ambrose, a late debutant at Highbury, is also included.

Up front George Burley is likely to continue with Marcuses Bent and Stewart with Alun Armstrong on the bench against his old side.

Out of the squad are Matteo Sereni (thigh strain), Chris Makin (ankle), Pablo Couñago (ankle) and Jermaine Wright, who had his hernia operation earlier in the week.

Burley feels that Town will need to show the same spirit as at Highbury on Saturday: "The attitude and commitment against Arsenal were very good so we have to do the same again.

"If we manage to win against Middlesbrough it will put the pressure back on Sunderland who have a tough match away at Charlton on Saturday.

"People may have written us off but we haven't given up hope. All is not lost. There are still points to play for. It is still possible for us to stay in the Premiership."

"If we can take three points from Middlesbrough things will change a little bit. We have to be focused. It will be very tough but we must all stick together.

"If we do not beat Middlesbrough it becomes extremely doubtful that we can stay up."

Striker Marcus Bent added: "The boys are going to battle as hard as they can.

"We are down at the moment but not out. Three points against Middlesbrough are a must and we are determined to get them."

Boro are missing Alen Boksic, Gianluca Festa, Noel Whelan, Dean Windass, Robbie Mustoe, Phil Stamp and Mark Wilson through injury and have called in a number of youngsters.

Stuart Parnaby, Brian Close, Stewart Downing, Mark Hudson and David Murphy are all included in Steve McClaren's squad.

Ugo Ehiogu and Jonathan Greening could both be fit, but McClaren may choose to rest Ehiogu after his hamstring injury. Colin Cooper may make his first start in the first team since the death of his young son in January.

Tonight's referee is fans' favourite Andy D'Urso, the man who showed John McGreal a red card at Chelsea last season. Since then he has refereed this season's home game with Leeds and the 3-1 home victory over Bradford towards the end of last season.

Squad: Andy Marshall, Mike Salmon, Fabian Wilnis, Titus Bramble, John McGreal, Mark Venus, Hermann Hreidarsson, Jamie Clapham, Matt Holland, Tommy Miller, Jim Magilton, Sixto Peralta, Finidi George, Martijn Reuser, Marcus Bent, Marcus Stewart, Alun Armstrong, Richard Naylor, Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose.

Photo: Action Images

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