BEN GIBSON is set to return to Middlesbrough’s starting line-up at Nottingham Forest on Saturday after resuming full training this morning.

Gibson damaged his hamstring in the second half of last weekend’s 2-0 win over MK Dons, and was forced to sit out Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Brentford.

However, he has been passed fit to return to training at Rockliffe Park, and will be part of the squad that travels to the City Ground for Saturday’s televised lunch-time kick-off.

“Ben should be okay,” said Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka. “He was training with the team today and I think he is ready. I need to check with the doctor, but I think he will be fit to play.

“Other than that, it is the same squad (as the Brentford game). Apart from Damia (Abella), (Alex) Baptiste and Rhys (Williams), the only other injured player is Woody (Jonathan Woodgate). The rest of the team is ready.”

Albert Adomah will retain his place in the squad after ending his first-team exile in style as he came off the bench to take a hand in Boro’s final two goals on Tuesday.

The winger was axed from the first-team squad after he submitted a formal transfer request in the wake of a Riverside bust-up with Karanka, but the pair’s differences were patched up after the transfer window closed with him still on the Teessiders’ books.

Karanka was delighted with Adomah’s reaction on Tuesday, and expects him to play a central role in the remainder of the campaign.

“I was pleased, not about the hug because I know Albert and we don’t have to hug each other to show everybody our relationship, but because I was really pleased and proud about his performance,” said the Spaniard.

“That was the Albert that I wanted to see on the pitch – a very good player, like he is – and that was the main thing. He played his best, and I said to everybody that the team has won with Albert’s decision to stay here. All of us know how important he was, and how important he will be for the team.”

Adomah was a member of the Middlesbrough side that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Forest in March, and Karanka is anticipating a similarly stiff test in two days time.

Boro were one of a number of clubs to inquire about Michail Antonio in August, but while Forest were ultimately unable to prevent the winger moving on to West Ham, they have won both of their Championship matches since his departure.

“It is going to be very difficult,” said Karanka. “Forest are a very good team. They lost Antonio this season, but they are more organised.

“With Antonio, they had both alternatives – they were organised, but they had very good transitions. Without Antonio, they are more compact, but they are still a good team.

“They have won their last few games, and once again in this league, it is going to be a very difficult game. But we are in a good way and hopefully we can keep going in the same direction.”