PATRICK BAMFORD should be fit to return for Middlesbrough in Saturday’s crucial home game with Millwall, and fellow striker Rudy Gestede has not given up hope of being involved in the play-offs if the Teessiders claim a top-six spot.

Boro will guarantee themselves a play-off place if they beat Millwall this weekend, having successfully seen off two of their promotion rivals – Bristol City and Derby County – in their last two matches.

Bamford was forced to sit out last weekend’s game at Pride Park, having suffered a head injury in the previous weekend’s win over Bristol City, but he drove himself to Derby to ensure he was able to watch Boro’s 2-1 success.

Tony Pulis’ players did not train today, but Bamford is set to return to full training with his team-mates tomorrow and should be available to face Millwall.

Pulis will have to decide whether to restore him to the starting line-up or stick with Britt Assombalonga, who scored Boro’s second goal at Derby as he made his first start since February.

Assombalonga led the line effectively at Pride Park, but Bamford had been on an excellent scoring run prior to his injury and Pulis is a firm admirer of the former Chelsea trainee’s work rate and ability to link play. At this stage, he is the likelier starter at the weekend.

Gestede will not be involved against Millwall, having undergone surgery in February to repair damage to his ankle.

The striker suffered a slight setback at the start of last week, and was forced to scale down his recovery programme. However, a series of scans showed that the bones in his ankle are almost completely healed, and having been impressed with his side’s win at Derby, Gestede remains hopeful of recovering in time to play some part in the play-offs.

“It was a great win against Derby, and it put us in a good situation for the next game against Millwall at home,” he said. “After this game, maybe we will know if we are in the play-offs.

“It was a very good step, back-to-back wins are always good for confidence. I think we have the quality to be in the play-offs, and after that, a play-off is always a different game.

“Let’s see what happens. Hopefully, I will be back to help the team, and if not, to support them. Either way, I will be behind them in any way to try to make sure we go up.”

Gestede was disappointed to have to delay his recovery programme last week, but accepts setbacks are an inevitable part of any rehabilitation period.

“Unfortunately, after a session last Monday, I felt a sharp pain in my ankle, so I didn’t do much for the rest of the week, just rest and ice, and some massages to flush the swelling,” he said, in a video diary on Middlesbrough’s official website. “I had a scan on Friday, and the scan was good.

“The bones are fully healed – 95 per cent healed – so it’s good news. But there are three ligaments on the ankle, and one of the ligaments is a bit irritated. That’s what caused the pain. We are going to get a plan with the medical staff to see if I can keep pushing, or if I have to slow down a bit.

“If I slow down, then the deadline would be postponed, and my return on the pitch will be delayed. When you come back from injury, it never happens how you plan it.

“I’ve had quite a lot, so I know what I am talking about. I have had 13 operations, and cannot count how many injuries I have had. It is part of football, and part of an athlete’s life. You have to handle it, and deal with it. The way you react is going to define who you are going to be. I am not afraid of it, and going to handle it in the best way, and make sure I come back fit and strong.”