DJED SPENCE is set to return to Middlesbrough’s squad for tomorrow’s home game with Sheffield Wednesday, but Neil Warnock will not be taking any risks with Grant Hall after the centre-half sustained a head injury in Wednesday’s win at Rotherham.

Hall has had stitches in the head wound that was sustained during the first-half incident that led to the dismissal of Rotherham’s Matt Crooks.

He did not suffer concussion at the New York Stadium, and is therefore available to play if passed fit, but while his absence would almost certainly require Jonny Howson to play as part of a back three, Warnock is adamant he will not be playing Hall unless he is convinced he is 100 per cent recovered.

The Boro boss said: “I’ve not actually seen Grant yet. I think he had seven stitches in his head, so I’ll be looking at that later today. If there’s any doubt though, we won’t play Grant.”

Spence has recovered from the knock that kept him out of the squad on Wednesday night, while Hayden Coulson could also return after missing the game at Rotherham because of an illness.

Warnock said: “I think Djed will be back in the squad at the weekend. Hayden was feeling a lot better, although I don’t know if he’s in today.

“If he comes in this morning, or even if he’s on his own this afternoon, if he says he’s okay, we’ve got enough room for both of them on the bench. They’ll both be in the squad.”