Neil Warnock reveals positive Yannick Bolasie update as Middlesbrough boss hopes for fitness boosts ahead of Reading, Bristol City and Cardiff

The Middlesbrough winger has missed his side’s last two games after joining the club on loan from Everton until the end of the season.

This weekend’s game against Reading will come too soon for the 31-year-old, yet Boro boss Neil Warnock is hopeful the player could return to full training soon – with Boro set to face Bristol City and Cardiff at the Riverside next week.

When asked when Bolasie could be available, Warnock told the Mail: “At a guess, I think Cardiff may be the closest. It’s not major, well put it this way, if he comes in and does it again it will be major.

“It’s one of those things that’s not going to get much better or worse, it's just the strength of the muscle, it’s just in the muscle.

“I think Yannick is going to try it next week at some stage and I don’t think we have anything to lose really with the run in.”

Warnock also confirmed that defender Dael Fry has returned to full training following a calf issue and should be available for the Reading match.

“Dael had a really good session yesterday, full training the hardest he’s had,” added Warnock “We’re hoping that there are no after-effects.

“He looked good to me and hopefully he’ll be available.

“We’ve missed that solidness that we built the team on, and hopefully with Dael we can get some consistency again.”

Boro have also been without Marcus Tavernier over the last few weeks due to a knee injury.

The Reading match will come too soon for the 21-year, yet he could be available next week.

“Tav is still with the physios - it’s a medial ligament in his knee so even when he’s right he’ll feel a bit of pain,” added Warnock. “It’s that awkward part of the knee that is delicate.

“It’s just getting to a situation where he can get through the pain barrier. It’s one of those that at the click of the fingers it might be alright again.

“I’m optimistic he’ll be involved at some stage next week.”

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