Middlesbrough face Leeds United this weekend.
Middlesbrough are set to recall new signing Jon Obi Mikel to face Leeds United, the Northern Echo report.
The Chelsea Champions League winner made a surprise switch to Boro in January after a spell in China.
The Nigerian missed Middlesbrough’s FA Cup midweek defeat to Newport County, after starting in the previous Championship clash against West Brom.
Mikel along with Ryan Shotton are said to be ‘certain’ to return to the Boro XI.
One player who will not be is Stewart Downing.
Downing earn £35,000 per week, The Express report, and if he starts another game for the club an automatic contract extension will be triggered.
The Northern Echo report is it is ‘unlikely’ Boro will select Downing to start against Leeds despite the magnitude of the game.
Leeds are in second place with Boro in fifth and a victory for Tony Pulis’ side will bring a huge momentum shift in the promotion race.
Both teams head into the game off the back of defeats by two clear goals.
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