Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has reported encouraging progress on several injury fronts but confirmed one setback that will delay a key forward’s return. Hellberg said he hopes Alfie Jones, Alex Bangura, Riley McGree and Kyle Joseph could all be available for the Championship curtain-raiser against Lincoln City on 15 August.
Fitness update after Espanyol friendly
The comments followed a 3-3 pre-season draw with Espanyol at the Riverside, a match which provided final match practice before competitive fixtures begin. Hellberg cautioned that while the quartet are progressing well, none are yet training at full intensity and their returns must be managed carefully.
“I think Alfie, Alex, Kyle and Riley all have hopes of being available for Lincoln,”
He added that it will be a matter of finding the right moment to reintegrate each player rather than rushing them back for cup or early league games.
Setback for Tommy Conway
Not all news was positive. Forward Tommy Conway underwent minor hernia surgery while still recovering from ankle surgery. The procedure has pushed back his anticipated comeback by several weeks, meaning he is unlikely to feature at the start of the league campaign.
That development reduces the immediate attacking options available to Hellberg, though the manager has other players pushing for places and new signings have already been given minutes in pre-season friendlies.
Other absentees and newcomers
Midfielders Myles Peart-Harris and David Strelec missed the Espanyol match after picking up minor knocks in a closed-doors fixture with Huddersfield Town. Hellberg said both should return to action shortly and were not deemed fit enough for the final pre-season outing.
Two summer arrivals made their first appearances in a Middlesbrough shirt: Sebastian Berhalter, who provided the corner that led to Leo Castledine’s second goal, and striker Will Lankshear, whose early header was ruled out for a tight offside call.
- Players likely to be in contention for Lincoln: Alfie Jones, Alex Bangura, Riley McGree, Kyle Joseph
- Unavailable for the start: Tommy Conway (post-operative recovery)
- Short-term absentees: Myles Peart-Harris, David Strelec (minor knocks)
| Player | Current status | Likely availability |
|---|---|---|
| Alfie Jones | Recovering, not fully training | Hopeful for 15 Aug |
| Alex Bangura | Recovering, not fully training | Hopeful for 15 Aug |
| Riley McGree | Recovering, not fully training | Hopeful for 15 Aug |
| Kyle Joseph | Recovering, not fully training | Hopeful for 15 Aug |
| Tommy Conway | Post-operative (hernia) recovery | Several weeks away |
Attention for the club now turns to the Carabao Cup first round fixture against Wrexham at the Riverside, before the league campaign begins. Hellberg indicated he may be cautious about selecting players returning from long-term lay-offs for the Cup tie, preferring to have additional options available for the league opener.
The manager’s measured approach underlines the balancing act clubs face at the start of a season: protect long-term fitness while assembling the strongest possible squad for competitive matches. Supporters will want clarity on individual timelines in the coming days as training intensity increases and medical staff provide updated assessments.
