Middlesbrough News

MARK SCHWARZER: It's a great honour to be the only overseas player to have made 500 Premier League appearances... I've enjoyed them all and want to make more about still going strong into his 40s.

City's fearless centre half is expected to be a key figure in Saturday's play-off final against a side who like to keep it physical.

Liverpool's Stewart Downing is hoping that he can turn his career around next season, and stake a claim for a regular first team place.

IT has been another season of disappointment at Middlesbrough, but manager Tony Mowbray's quest to guide the club back to the Premier League has received a boost after it was announced season card sales are up on last season.

JULIO Arca has thrown his support behind Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray and insists the club is in good hands despite another failed attempt to get back into the Premier League.

Goalkeeper Jason Steele was a double-award winner at Middlesbrough's official end-of-season ceremony.

NICKY BAILEY'S time on Teesside has edged closer to the end after admitting there has been no new contract offer from Middlesbrough.

Sheff Wed V Middlesbrough - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

Dave Jones' side must win to make sure of survival themselves, although they could lose and stay up if other results go their way.

Middlesbrough midfielder Grant Leadbitter admitted he was surprised to be crowned as the Official Supporters' Club Player of the Year.

JULIO Arca said goodbye to the North-East last week after 13 years in the region.

FOR a brief period in the build up to Saturday's game, Middlesbrough supporters were able to revel in the glories of the past.

A hero on Wearside and Teesside, Julio Arca's 13-year playing career in the North East has come to an end.

AMONG the Middlesbrough players worth a substantial amount in the marketplace this summer is Jason Steele, in the long-term thinking of the full England squad, and one of the most valuable.

Despite training well this week Hatem Ben Arfa will likely have to settle for a place on the bench.

The centre-back, 33, will sit out after being sent off for two bookable offences during last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Bolton.

Middlesbrough V Charlton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

The situation is clearly not what was hoped for in the corridors of power at the Riverside Stadium, although Mowbray is determined to retain a huge degree of optimism ahead of another summer of financial realignment.