GEORGE FRIEND is set to return to Middlesbrough’s starting line-up for Saturday’s crucial relegation battle at Crystal Palace.

Friend missed last weekend’s FA Cup fifth-round victory over Oxford United after picking up a knock in the build-up to the game, and has only featured in six of Boro’s last 14 league games.

However, he is set to return to full training before the weekend and is on course to feature at Selhurst Park.

His availability will enable Aitor Karanka to switch Fabio Da Silva to right-back, with Antonio Barragan still injured, a shift that will also mean Calum Chambers is able to resume his partnership with Ben Gibson at centre-half.

Having shuffled his pack for last weekend’s cup victory, Karanka is expected to revert to his preferred Premier League line-up in four days’ time.

Marten de Roon and Adam Forshaw will come back into the starting line-up, with Alvaro Negredo replacing Rudy Gestede in attack.

Adama Traore will line up on one flank, with Karanka’s main selection dilemma seeing him having to choose between last weekend’s match-winner, Cristhian Stuani, or Gaston Ramirez on the opposite side of the field.

Boro go into Saturday’s game with a three-point advantage over Crystal Palace, who currently occupy 19th position.