MIDDLESBROUGH'S Ugo Ehiogu is winning his battle to be fit for Saturday's trip to Arsenal.

The Boro centre-back played through the pain barrier against Chelsea last week after suffering from a back problem.

Ehiogu has been receiving treatment for over a week on the injury and he was in for more at the club's Rockliffe Park training HQ on the squad's day off yesterday.

It had been feared the 30-year-old centre-back would have to miss the clash with Premiership leaders Arsenal, but he is thought to have responded well to the work put in by physio Bob Ward.

Boro boss Steve McClaren has revealed the pain the England defender was in after Saturday's draw with Chelsea at the Riverside.

And McClaren hopes to see that type of spirit from all of his players. He said: "Before the Chelsea game Ugo was struggling with a back injury. He played 90 minutes and could hardly move.

"That's the kind of character and commitment we are going to need. You have to deal with whatever is thrown at you, just like Ugo did."

McClaren, who also has Noel Whelan struggling to be fit with a groin injury, is keen to have his defensive linch-pin ready for the Highbury trip in a bid to see his side kick-off the Christmas campaign in style.

After the Arsenal match Boro, who played third-placed Chelsea last Saturday, then entertain second-placed Manchester United on Boxing Day.

Defeats in both for the Teessiders is likely to see them slip into the bottom half of the table before their away fixtures at Aston Villa (on December 28) and Blackburn Rovers (New Year's Day).

And McClaren is firmly focused on a good run of form in the knowledge that Boro have won just two of their last ten matches.

"It was important that we performed well against Chelsea after our display at West Brom," said McClaren. "We have now got a couple of important games and it was good for us to get a point on Saturday.

"But what we seem to be doing is getting the attitude, character and commitment right and that is the foundation for a successful team.

"The quality of our football at times is fine and we will be OK. If we keep performing like we have been we will be OK and we will be able to get results."

Young striker Daniel Graham has completed a permanent switch to the Riverside.

Since signing from Albany Northern League side Chester-le-Street Town Graham, 18, has scored six goals in five outings for Boro Under-19s. Graham impressed during a month's trial at Boro and he is now a second-year scholar at the Premiership side.

* Former Boro defender Alan Kernaghan is on the shortlist to replace Steve Paterson at Scottish First Division side Inverness.

The former Republic of Ireland defender has impressed Caledonian Stadium bosses with the way he has guided Clyde to third in Division One, just behind Thistle.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.