GEORGE FRIEND has returned to training, with Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka hoping the full-back will be passed fit to start Saturday’s promotion decider with Brighton.

Boro entertain the Seagulls knowing a point will guarantee a place in the Premier League, and Friend’s return would represent a considerable boost.

The left-back has missed Boro’s last two matches after suffering a hamstring injury in last month’s 1-1 draw at Burnley, and his replacement, Ritchie de Laet, struggled as the Teessiders claimed a 2-2 draw with Birmingham City last weekend.

Brighton’s right winger, Anthony Knockaert, is their key creative threat, and Friend’s presence could be crucial as Boro look to secure a top-two finish on Saturday lunch-time.

Karanka said: “I don’t know how he (Friend) is at the moment, but I am positive. He is an important player for us so I hope he can be ready. He is back in training, but he is not 100 per cent.

“He is more than a player for us. He can play better or worse, but he always transmits his attitude to his team-mates and the crowd, and for that reason he is important. If he can’t play, then Ritchie has played a lot of games this season and I am really pleased with him.”

With Brighton having failed to beat Derby County in their penultimate fixture on Monday afternoon, Boro know a draw will be good enough to ensure they finish above their opponents on goal difference.

However, Karanka insists that while a point might be sufficient to secure promotion, he will be urging his players to approach the game as if they need to win.

He said: “I don't know how to prepare for a game to draw. It's difficult to go to the pitch thinking a draw is good because my experience tells me that when you go to the pitch thinking to draw the game you are going to lose.

“So for that reason I am preparing everything to try to beat Brighton knowing it is going to be a tough game because more than three points is at stake.”

With so much riding on Saturday’s game, Karanka urged the authorities to select an experienced referee, and the Spaniard was delighted when Mike Dean was confirmed as the man in the middle.

He said: “I think it is massive to have a referee who has been a referee for almost 400 games in the Premier League. His career has been almost 20 years.

“It's the best thing because this game is going to be followed by every single place in the world. I am sure that Chris Hughton will select his best XI, I am going to try and put my best XI out and with a really good referee everybody has put everything on the pitch. Now, it just remains to play.”