Michael Ricketts made a return to full training yesterday but still faces the possibility of missing the start of the season.

The Middlesbrough striker is back with the squad after achilles problems but may not be fit in time to play in the two remaining pre-season games, at Sheffield United on Saturday and against Chievo at the Riverside Stadium a week later.

And that is likely to rule him out of the opening league game of the season, with the club keen not to put undue pressure on a player who has suffered a series of injuries in the last six months.

The £2.5m front man made only five starts last season after arriving from Bolton in January, with some of the injury problems stemming from attempts to return too quickly in an attempt to prove himself.

Despite the injuries to strikers Noel Whelan and Massimo Maccarone, Boro will not try to force Ricketts back and run the risk of losing him again as a result.

A club spokesman said yesterday: "Michael is back in training and doing his running, but it's too early to say when he will play.

"He's been very unlucky after coming back early on his own this summer to prepare for the season and then picking up this achilles injury. He has some catching up to do."

Boro have been linked with a fresh move for Sunderland's Kevin Phillips, but they are just one of several Premiership clubs ready to move in for the striker if the £3m asking price is reduced.

Manager Steve McClaren is more concerned with strengthening the midfield and is looking to sign two players in that area, including one who can play wide.

McClaren is pursuing the possibility of a loan deal for Inter's Stephane Dalmat but faces competition from other clubs.