Marcus Tavernier injury update and when the Middlesbrough midfielder could return to action

The 21-year-old was honoured at this week’s Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters Association virtual awards ceremony, picking up the club’s Young Player of the Year prize.

Tavernier suffered a knee injury during Boro’s 1-0 defeat by Blackburn in January, meaning he has missed the side’s last two matches against Rotherham and Norwich.

The midfielder had enjoyed a fine start to the campaign and featured in every Championship game for Boro before the injury setback.

"I’m thankful for the award," said Tavernier during a Zoom Q&A with the MDSA this week. “It’s always great to get recognised for what you do on the pitch and I’m grateful for it all.

“At the moment it’s unfortunate to be injured and not help the boys out there but I know they are doing a good job and picking up points along the way.”

When asked about the injury and when he could return to action, Tavernier replied: “I’m just slowly working on my rehab at the moment, just trying to get back fit.

“It’s a slow process at the moment and I’m just trying to speed it up as fast as I can.

“It was like three to four weeks from the start of the injury but it just depends how it goes and how the pain goes down.”

That would mean Tavernier is likely to return around February 20 when Boro will face play-off contenders Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

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