MIDDLESBROUGH'S medical staff may have a busy 48 hours before their league opener against Fulham with several players to be assessed before the game. 

Marcus Tavernier is being watched carefully by the Boro coaching staff as he works to overcome a hamstring injury while Marc Bola is set to take part in training this morning after a recent hernia problem. 

Neil Warnock didn't rule out the pair being involved at Craven Cottage but the next 48 hours will be crucial as to whether they will both be involved. 

"There's that many little things." said Warnock. 

"Tav's had an injury as well, we thought he was going to be 3-4 weeks and then we've had another opinion and they've said ten days which is up until about today.

"Knowing Tav when I see him today, he'll probably say he's fit but I've just got to be careful with him. The lads that came out of the team last year, your Dael Fry's, we've really worked hard on rehabilitation for Dael Fry, Grant Hall, Jonny Howson, Tav, Sammy Morsy to start with as well. 

"The lads who missed the end of last season like (Afernee) Djiksteel, we've really put a programme in.

"If we can get two or three more into the squad, it means we can leave them out for the odd game here and there and we can use the squad which you've got to do really nowadays. 

Warnock added: "He's (Bola) is going to do some training this morning but he's not played any minutes at the minute so it's asking a lot. You don't know with Boles, I think you just have to play that by ear. He's a genuine lad."

The potential absence of Bola may leave a problem down the left-hand side for Boro with Sammy Ameobi and Hayden Coulson ruled out for Sunday's afternoon kick-off in West London. 

Ameobi looks set for a spell on the sidelines while Coulson has been recovering from Covid. His self-isolation period is due to end in the next couple of days. 

Warnock said: "He's (Ameobi) got a problem with the knee. Not the bad knee that he had but it keeps flaring up and at he moment it doesn't look like we can stop it from flaring up so I don't think he's any nearer to being fit than he was three weeks ago. 

"He's (Coulson) got two more days with the Covid. We've a few little sniffs of the virus which we've got to overcome, we're still getting tested everyday. It's one of those things I'm afraid. For whatever reason, the majority of the players don't have vaccinations which I think is wrong but that's how it goes.

"We've got a problem on that (left) side, it's how we sort it out. I know Bola's training so we'll have a look how fit he is. Pelts (Lee Peltier) has played on that side, Djiksteel's played on that side before so we'll just have a look in training and I'm sure we can come up with something. 

"Isaiah (Jones) did really well before h smashed his nose at Rotherham for a young lad but it might be asking a lot to play against Fulham first game of the season for a young lad so we'll have a look.