Team news

Boro could be robbed of Barry Middlesbrough midfielder Barry Robson is facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday's npower Championship clash with Reading.

The 33-year-old returned from a three-match lay-off with a dislocated finger and broken bone in his hand in Tuesday night's 3-1 victory at Millwall.

That injury remains sore, but he also picked up a thigh strain at the Den and is being assessed, as is Faris Haroun, who has a hamstring problem.

Neither he nor Julio Arca (toe) trained on Thursday, but manager Tony Mowbray is hopeful both could be involved.

Midfielder Nicky Bailey is back in contention after recovering from a medial ligament injury sustained against Peterborough on New Year's Eve.

However, goalkeeper Danny Coyne (calf), midfielder Merouane Zemmama (hernia) and striker Scott McDonald (medial ligament) are still out, while Kevin Thomson completes his two-match ban.

Brian McDermott has a healthy contingent of players at his disposal as he continues life as Reading manager.

McDermott has agreed to extend his contract at the Madejski Stadium until 2015, and with captain Jobi McAnuff making a full recovery from hernia surgery, the Royals are in good shape to make a late surge toward promotion.

Defenders Shaun Cummings (hamstring) and Andy Griffin could make a timely return to first-team action at the Riverside, allowing Matt Connolly and Ian Harte to drop to the bench.

Winger Michail Antonio is one absentee for the Berkshire outfit, having joined Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season.

Middlesbrough vs Reading

Last modified 17:27 25/02/12

Royals march on Goals in either half from Noel Hunt and Ian Harte earned Reading their fifth successive npower Championship victory with a 2-0 triumph over Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Republic of Ireland striker Hunt converted from close range in the 17th minute after a well-worked corner before Harte killed off the game with a brilliant free-kick 10 minutes from time.

The impressive result completed a successful week for the Royals, who tied manager Brian McDermott to a new contract despite interest from Barclays Premier League side Wolves.

After failing to create any clear-cut opportunities in the opening half, Boro tested visiting goalkeeper Adam Federici on numerous occasions in the second but could not find a way back into the game.

Reading continued their promotion charge after their fifth consecutive clean sheet, while Tony Mowbray's side slipped to their third home league defeat of the campaign. After a scrappy start, Reading started to take control and broke the deadlock from their first corner.

A smart interchange between Harte and Jimmy Kebe led to the former delivering into the box toward Alex Pearce and, after the defender guided the ball back across the face of the goal, Hunt was in the right place to convert from six yards via the underside of the bar.

Lukas Jutkiewicz had a shot blocked by Pearce and top-scorer Marvin Emnes fired wide as Middlesbrough struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

In-form striker Jason Roberts' tame effort from a McAnuff cross was blocked by Julio Arca, who ended the half by striking wide from 25 yards.

Boro started brightly after the interval and Rhys Williams was the first to work Federici with a looping header.

Arca's fierce strike just flew over the bar before Federici was grateful to grasp a Williams effort from 25 yards.

At the other end, Roberts broke clear of the last defender and should have put Reading 2-0 ahead, only to see Jason Steele's outstretched boot deny him his fourth goal in five games since his January move from Blackburn.

The miss seemed to lift Boro and Jutkiewicz had two chances in as many minutes to draw his side level. The former Coventry striker shot straight at Federici before bringing the best out of the Australian keeper with a header.

Despite late Boro pressure, Reading extended their lead and killed off the game through deadball specialist Harte.

The former Leeds defender curled a superb 25-yard free-kick into the top corner after 80 minutes.

Reading, who were unlucky not to be awarded a last-minute penalty when McAnuff appeared to be pulled down in the box, held on to claim their first win at the Riverside since 2008.