Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka will be given as long as possible to prove his fitness ahead of Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final, second leg clash against Steaua Bucharest.

The Australian international returned to training yesterday after missing the last two games with a thigh injury and is expected to play some part in the game.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is out for the rest of the season with a fractured cheekbone and Boro were today working to process the paperwork to allow Ross Turnbull, who has been recalled from a loan spell at Crewe to deputise for Brad Jones, while midfielder Lee Cattermole (ankle) could be included for the first time since April 2.

Meanwhile Steaua Bucharest's coach Cosmin Olaroiu has said that he is confident that his team can keep a clean sheet against the Premiership team.

Steaua won the first leg of the semi-final 1-0 in Bucharest last week and a draw would guarantee the Romanian side a place in the UEFA Cup final.

In 13 UEFA Cup matches this season Stena have conceded just four goals and four of the matches have ended 0-0.
   
"My defenders are good enough to not concede a goal in Middlesbrough," Olaroiu said. "So my strikers have to do their job because they have their backs covered."
   
He added: "I'm the coach who always plays to win but a 0-0 would give me the happiest day of my life."

Middlesbrough squad (Provisional): Jones, Turnbull, Knight, Parnaby, Bates, Queudrue, Taylor, Southgate, Riggott, Ehiogu, Wheater, Morrison, Doriva, Boateng, Rochemback, Cattermole, Parlour, Downing, Johnson, Kennedy, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Maccarone, Yakubu, Christie.