RHYS WILLIAMS is set to make his eagerly-awaited comeback from injury in Middlesbrough’s development game at Reading next Wednesday.

Williams has been sidelined for almost 12 months since rupturing his Achilles tendon in January’s FA Cup third-round win over Barnsley.

That appearance, which followed a substitute role in the Boxing Day win over Nottingham Forest, was Williams’ first start since he suffered a similar injury 11 months earlier.

The Australian has effectively been injured for almost two years, but he is back in full training and Aitor Karanka is keen to see him a game situation.

He has been pencilled in for Wednesday’s second-string game at Reading, and could also feature when the development team travel to Chelsea a week on Monday.

Karanka said: “Rhys is training with the team, and we are thinking that he can play with the Under-21s next week, maybe one or two games.

“He is really good, and feels better than last season. We are all really pleased.”

Williams’ return will increase Karanka’s options in both defence and midfield, and the Boro head coach will look to improve his attacking ranks next month with the re-signing of Patrick Bamford on loan.

Bamford is set to trigger a release clause in his current loan deal at Crystal Palace, and Karanka has confirmed his continued interest in the Chelsea striker.

He said: “I have always said the same thing about Patrick – the doors of this club will always be open for him.

“But we are now at the beginning of December and we have the whole of December and the whole of January, so I can’t come here every single day to speak about speculation.

“I prefer to focus on my players, my team and the games on Saturday and next Tuesday. The things that will happen in January, we’ll see.”