RYAN FREDERICKS has given Middlesbrough a fitness boost ahead of a crucial run of fixtures which could go a long way in determining what division they are playing in next season.

The 22-year-old is a serious doubt for the first of three matches against promotion rivals this Saturday, but the club’s medical department have deemed his hamstring problem not serious enough to keep him out for an extended period.

While head coach Aitor Karanka will not risk him against Ipswich Town if he thinks there is a chance of it worsening, it is hoped Fredericks will be in contention for the back-to-back away trips to title contenders Derby County and Bournemouth.

The defender, on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season, pulled up with the problem at Nottingham Forest on Saturday when he spent some time receiving treatment behind the goal before he was replaced.

Emilio Nsue slotted in six minutes before half-time and he remains an option for the visit of Ipswich, although Karanka alternatively can play Daniel Ayala again after his lay-off.

The Spanish centre-back has not figured since limping out of the victory at Blackpool on February 10 with an ankle injury. He has returned to full training ahead of schedule.

Ayala has been a key player this season whether he has played alongside Ben Gibson or Kenneth Omeruo. Boro have won just two of seven games since he was sidelined and have kept just two clean sheets during that run.

If Karanka deems him fit enough to face the Tractor Boys then Ayala’s return to the heart of the defence could see Tomas Kalas shift out to right-back as Fredericks’ replacement.

Kalas was frustrated with his error in allowing Michail Antonio to tee up Dexter Blackstock for the winner at Forest on Saturday, but the Chelsea loan player has impressed since moving to the North-East from Stamford Bridge.

Ayala’s performances in the middle of defence throughout the campaign, though, would warrant a quick return to the side. He has provided greater aerial strength to his team-mates and Karanka has been full of praise for the way the former Liverpool and Norwich man has improved under him.

Whatever defence Karanka sends out against Ipswich he is determined to make sure his players are focused purely on what sort of threat Mick McCarthy’s team will pose despite the games which are set to follow.

“It's normal that they think about the matches that we have coming up but we can’t think too much about them, we must think only about the next game when it comes around,” said Karanka.

“If we can win the next game and then the next then we could go to Bournemouth on top of the table with a good points advantage over third position.

“But if we lose the next two matches – after losing at Nottingham – then we could be two points below the play-off positions, so they know how I feel and my mentality. We don't win anything thinking about the games against Derby and Bournemouth now.”