Middlesbrough skipper Gary O'Neil is unlikely to play in Saturday afternoon's Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday.

O'Neil, who is also on nine bookings, was left out of Monday's 2-0 win at Plymouth with a payment of £1million due to former club Portsmouth if he makes one more appearance for Boro under the terms of his transfer deal.

But defender Andrew Taylor is hopeful of winning his battle against the hernia problem which sidelined him at Home Park.

Austria international Emanuel Pogatetz is still struggling with the painful knee injury which has kept him out of the last three games.

Striker Jeremie Aliadiere is back in light training after recovering from a broken toe and could be back later this month but Willo Flood and Matthew Bates (both cruciate ligament), Seb Hines (ankle and knee ligament) and Tony McMahon (stress fracture of the foot) remain on the casualty list.