GEORGE FRIEND and Gaston Ramirez are ready to return to the Middlesbrough team for Monday's Premier League game with Arsenal.
Friend has made just one start since the middle of January, but has recovered from a calf injury and will hope to dislodge Fabio da Silva from the left-back slot against the Gunners.
Ramirez has been struggling with an ankle injury, and has missed Boro's last two games.
"George is back in," said head coach Steve Agnew. "We have a fully-fit squad. Every single player is fit and champing at the bit to play. That’s great news for me.
"It’s a selection headache, but that’s the way I would rather have it. The only player unavailable is Calum Chambers and that’s because the Premier League rules dictate that he can’t play."
Boro kick off this weekend's games six points adrift of safety, and could find themselves further behind by the time they line up at the Riverside, depending on how Hull and Swansea fare against Stoke and Watford respectively.
The Teessiders have still not claimed a Premier League victory since their 3-0 win over Swansea in mid-December, and Agnew accepts time is rapidly running out.
"It’s a massive game," he said. "It’s one we need to win. We need the three points and that’s what we’ll be trying to do.
"They’re (Arsenal) in a difficult moment, certainly away from home, but they have top quality players throughout the team. We know it will be a really, really difficult game."
Arsenal have conceded three or more goals in four of their last five away games - the other was the FA Cup victory at Sutton United - and the pressure continues to mount on Arsene Wenger.
Monday's 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace represented a new low for the embattled Arsenal boss, and Agnew will be urging his players to capitalise on any fragility in the opposition defence.
"We need to start scoring goals," he said. "We’re confident that we are capable and we have got the players.
"Arsenal have conceded a number of goals in recent weeks, particularly away from home, so that gives us confidence. Our movements and ability to create a chance has been evident in recent games. We just need to make sure when the chance comes along, we take it."
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