STEVE McClaren is set to receive a double boost as he returns to domestic duties this morning with both Mark Viduka and George Boateng winning their race to be fit for Middlesbrough's weekend trip to Crystal Palace.

The Boro boss has spent the last ten days on international duty with England but, in his absence, the rest of his training staff have been putting some of the club's injured players through their paces.

Centre-half Ugo Ehiogu is two weeks ahead of schedule as he battles back from a knee problem but, while he is currently able to take part in light training sessions, he remains at least a fortnight away from a first-team return.

Boateng and Viduka are much closer to full fitness and, while the pair remain short of match sharpness, they could both make a surprise return at Selhurst Park.

Boateng's absence has co-incided with Boro's worst run of the season. The Teessiders have won just two of their 12 league games since the Dutch midfielder broke his foot in December's 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

Doriva and Ray Parlour have tried to plug the gap at the base of midfield in his absence, but neither have been able to provide the security and solidity offered by Boateng.

Viduka has been similarly missed, with the striker's hamstring problem taking just as long to clear up.

The Australian's last appearance came in the Boxing Day defeat at Birmingham and, while Joseph-Desire Job and Szilard Nemeth have played up front in his absence, Boro have looked increasingly toothless in recent weeks.

Viduka was McClaren's only cash signing last summer - the Boro boss splashed out £4.5m to bring him from Leeds - and, so far, the 29-year-old has failed to provide a return on that investment.

His has scored seven goals in 20 games but, after missing more than three months of the season, his boss will be desperate to see him add to that tally in the final six weeks of the campaign.

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