RUDY GESTEDE is less than a fortnight away from rejoining Middlesbrough’s first team training sessions, Garry Monk has revealed today.

Monk was speaking at his pre-match press conference at Rockliffe Park ahead of Cardiff City’s visit to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

That has already shaped up to be a pretty significant fixture with November approaching because the Bluebirds, sitting second, are looking to maintain a seven point gap to mid-table Boro.

The aim is clearly promotion on Teesside and Monk has no fresh injury problems for the game, but remains without Gestede.

The Benin international, who started the season positively, has not played since August against Preston because he required surgery on a bleed in his leg sustained during a training session.

Monk said: “Rudy is the only injury. We expect him out in full training in just under two weeks’ time. We have a very competitive squad and we have to use that squad.

“We are happy with how Rudy is progressing, he’s back on the grass running, that’s good. The medical department are happy so we should look at him being back in training soon.”

Monk is ready to consider Adama Traore for selection after a positive reaction in training since he was left out of the draw with Barnsley for missing the team coach.

The Middlesbrough boss, whose side have lost just one of their last ten despite a dip in form recently, would like to have as many options available as he can to face Cardiff.

Neil Warnock has done well to lead Cardiff to second spot so far, but Monk said: “I’m not surprised. I know what to expect from this league.

“Neil is a very experienced manager, I know what his teams throw up and they have very capable players. They have an experienced squad. It doesn’t surprise me but we have to focus on ourselves. We are confident of delivering a result.”

* More from Garry Monk tomorrow morning in The Northern Echo.