![\"Riley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Middlesbrough-v-Wrexham-AFC-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMiddlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg had a positive injury update ahead of Preston North End<\/p>\n
Riley McGree of Middlesbrough arrives(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Middlesbrough could welcome some of his recently-injured players back to the match-day on squad on Saturday for Preston North End\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n
Kim Hellberg had revealed on Tuesday ahead of the trip to Stoke City that a number of players were close to a return, with some even already back in training. Though none made the squad on Wednesday, Hellberg says Saturday could be time.<\/p>\n
Of those out injured, Darragh Lenihan, George Edmundson and Alex Bangura are believed to be longer term absentees, but Callum Brittain, Riley McGree, David Strelec and Kaly Sene are believed to be close and potentially in contention for the weekend.<\/p>\n
Hellberg tends to like to keep such news as under wraps as possible, so when asked specifically, he joked he would allow for one specific player, to which he offered a positive update on McGree.<\/p>\n
The Boro<\/a> boss said: \u201cThere will be some players back, which is good. Riley McGree is one who is back. Of course, they have been out for a while so I don\u2019t know if anyone is ready to start.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there will be players back and that\u2019s good. And if they\u2019re not back this week, then they will probably be back the next week, so it\u2019s looking much better for us.\u201d<\/p>\n FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! Keep up with all the Middlesbrough FC latest via the Gazette’s dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n Boro host Preston North End this weekend in a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday. It makes for a quick turnaround for Boro, who were away at Stoke City on Wednesday evening before travelling back to Teesside immediately after.<\/p>\n In that game, Boro were required to come from behind after an error from Sol Brynn saw him beaten too easily by Tomas Rigo\u2019s effort. But the Teessider went on to make a number of good saves thereafter to offer the platform for Boro to turn it around and win the game.<\/p>\n Asked about Brynn, Hellberg said: \u201cI don\u2019t know what I should tell him about that \u2013 he didn\u2019t see it very well, but it was a shot he should have saved, he knows that, everyone knows it.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was probably the most disappointed about it, but then he made two really big saves for us. He made a brilliant save when we could have been 2-0 down, and that save was a game-winning save for us.<\/p>\n \u201cThen, he also did some really good things in the air in the late stages of the game. I didn\u2019t need to tell him to respond because he did that in the game in the best of ways. I think that was strong from him, it shows character.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing you\u2019re disappointed in the first one but then doing those big saves and important things towards the end of the game. He showed his character, and responded really, really well during the game, which is all we need.\u201d<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n Here at TeessideLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Middlesbrough FC <\/a>coverage and analysis.<\/p>\n Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Boro news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here <\/a>to subscribe.<\/p>\n Your information will be hidden, you’ll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice <\/a>.<\/p>\n