Middlesbrough boss Hellberg reveals two stars set to return but new signing not yet ready | OneFootball

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg has revealed that both Aidan Morris and David Strelec could return from injury against Blackburn Rovers.

The important duo both missed Boro’s Championship opener – a 2-1 win against Lincoln City. However, they could return to action at Ewood Park this weekend.

“Aidan is much better,” said Hellberg. “And will absolutely participate in the game.

“David has just started training. We’ll see if he can be on the bench or not, but Aidan is much better.”

Elsewhere, the Boro boss also confirmed that new signing Ashley Phillips will have to wait a little longer before making his debut.

The centre-back made the switch to Teeside from Tottenham last week, following in the footsteps of Will Lankshear. However, Hellberg feels the 21-year-old still needs more time to get up to speed.

“No, he’s not in for Saturday,” the Boro boss answered on Phillips. “He’s one of the only few who’s not in for selection on Saturday.

“We’ll see if it’s possible to have him with us on Tuesday or if it’s the next Saturday or whatever it is, but we need to be careful with when we involve him and how we build him up. That will be a key part.

“He has been training with us, mainly outside of the group sessions, but trying to do some things with us.

“We’re trying to build him up and that will take a bit of time and we need to have a bit of patience with him. He’ll be a very good player for us.”