Boro aim to make the most of play-off chance

In the race for the play-off spots, Birmingham City are all but guaranteed to finish in the top six as they are three points ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough and also have a superior goal difference of plus 23 over Tony Mowbray’s side.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2012, 07:26 BST

Birmingham are at home to champions Reading while Boro go to Watford aiming to overhaul Cardiff City, who occupy sixth spot and are two points ahead going into their trip to Crystal Palace.

Mowbray said: “This game’s important for us but maybe a bigger game is in south-east London, where we need Crystal Palace to win. But we will just be doing everything we can to win ours.”

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Mowbray has no fresh injury concerns. Full-back Justin Hoyte limped out of last Saturday’s win over Southampton with muscle tightness, but is expected to be available.

Striker Marvin Emnes has been playing with a niggling knee injury but he, too, should be passed fit.

Stephen McGinn is in contention for his first appearance for Watford for 14 months following a cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered in February last year. Otherwise, manager Sean Dyche has a fully-fit squad to select from.

Goalkeeper Julian Speroni is the latest addition to Crystal Palace’s casualty list after suffering a dislocated finger at Reading, so Lewis Price will deputise against Cardiff.

Defender Ben Mee and striker Jay Rodriguez face late fitness tests as Burnley host Bristol City.

Mee has had a small fracture in his back while Rodriguez has been dogged by groin and hip problems.

Related topics:Birmingham CityTony MowbrayBoroCardiff CityLondonMiddlesbrough