December 09, 2007	Sunday	Ziqa'ad 28, 1428

MIDDLESBROUGH, Dec 8: Mark Schwarzer is set for a shock return just over a week after suffering a broken thumb. Middlesbrough’s Australian international goalkeeper is in line to face unbeaten Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday and cap an amazing comeback by the 35-year-old, who had been expected to be sidelined until Christmas.

Sydney-born Schwarzer hopes to play with a protective cast on the hairline fracture suffered in training at the end of last month, and Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate confirmed: “Mark’s keen to play and we’ll check on him on Saturday to see if he can get the go-ahead.”

Schwarzer, who is set to re-open contract negotiations with the club in January, has missed just one game since sustaining the injury.

He has been back in training this week, and Southgate added: “I’m not too certain about the kind of protection Mark’s been wearing on the thumb, it’s something our goalkeeping coach has been dealing more with, but he’s certainly hoping to face Arsenal.”

Middlesbrough, who have dropped into the bottom three after an 11-game winless streak stretching back to the start of September, have seen their casualty-list clear, with Egyptian striker Mido their only long-term absentee.

Stewart Downing insists the spirit in the camp remains high, claiming that Boro are confident of putting a dent in Arsenal’s title ambitions.

The England winger said: “People might look at this match and expect a rout, but we beat Arsenal here two years ago and we could surprise a few people again.

The leaders hope to stretch their unbeaten league sequence to an impressive 23 games this weekend, but the Frenchman has drawn criticism for an over-emphasis on foreign talent despite fashioning one of the most exciting sides seen in the English top flight.

—AFP