Emnes returns as Boro game survives big freeze (From The Northern Echo)

Emnes returns as Boro game survives big freeze

2:51pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in Sport By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

MIDDLESBROUGH'S Championship trip to Ipswich Town has survived freezing temperatures and two pitch inspections and is set to go ahead at Portman Road.

But skipper Matthew Bates has not travelled to Suffolk meaning that manager Tony Mowbray has had to tinker with his system.

In the absence of Bates, Middlesbrough have recalled Marvin Emnes, who could play behind the strikers, and that has allowed Rhys Williams to slot back in to defence.

Despite a confidence that the fixture would be on, referee Dean Whitestone has had regular checks to see if the conditions have deteriorated.

While there is no snow, the icy blast gripping the country has made the surface hard. There is one area of the pitch in particular, just in front of the main stand, which is worse than the others.

The game will start, although Mr Whitestone has indicated that he will be willing to abandon the afternoon's play if conditions worsen over the 90 minutes.

IPSWICH TOWN (4-3-2-1): Lee-Barrett; Edwards, Sonko, Smith, Cresswell; Edwards, Martin, Hyam, Drury; Murphy, Emmanuel-Thomas; Chopra. Subs: Leadbitter, Delaney, Scotland, Bullard, McCarthy.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-1-2): Steele; Hoyte, Hines, Williams, Bennett; McMahon, Thomson, Arca; Emnes; Main, Jutkiewicz. Subs: Ripley (gk), Ogbeche, Halliday, Smallwood, L Williams.