Carayol could be back against Ipswich

Mustapha Carayol
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Gambian Mustapha Carayol could make his long-awaited return to action when Middlesbrough visits Ipswich Town on Saturday, head coach Tony Mowbray told the club’s official website.

The speedy Gambian winger has been out of action since injuring his knee at the end of September but played an hour for the U21 side against Chelsea last Friday.

Manager Tony Mowbray will decide today whether to include the 23-year-old in his squad for the trip to Portman Road.

"The plan is for Muzzy to be on the coach," he said. "There was a decision to make because there’s another development game, against Fulham on Saturday, and there was a question over whether 90 minutes against Fulham [U21] would be more beneficial than 20 minutes at Ipswich."

"We'll assess what the team is going to be and what we think the bench should look like and who we think can make a real impact off the bench."

"If we think we need someone to come on and make an impact at Ipswich, then Muzzy will come with us."

"If not then he'll either stay here and play a full 90 minutes against Fulham or be in training on Sunday, running and working, trying to build his fitness up."