MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder James Lea-Siliki is expected to feature for Cameroon over the international break amid concerns of his fitness. 

The 25-year-old made a promising start to his loan stint from Rennes starting in the first two games on Teesside, one of which was the 2-0 win over Nottingham Frest. However, the Boro boss Neil Warnock has since cited concerns over his match sharpness and general fitness in games and says the midfielder has to now work his way into the Boro starting eleven. 

Lea-Siliki is one of three Boro players heading off on international duty with Andraz Sporar representing Slovenia while Paddy McNair will head out with Northern Ireland for World Cup qualifying matches. Boro's Nathan Wood, currently on loan at Scottish side Hibernian, will go away with England's Under 20's. 

So far, Lea-Siliki has made three appearances for the national side. 

Even though the midfielder appears to be short of match sharpness, Warnock says he believes the club have received reassurances that Lea-Siliki will get game time over the international break. 

The Boro boss said: “I think the problem we’ve got is that Cameroon are hosting the African Cup of Nations in January. So I don’t think he’ll want to upset anybody.

“I do believe somebody told me yesterday that we’ve been in touch with the Cameroons because we were concerned about the lack minutes he’s been getting and his fitness.

“I think we’ve been told he’s going to start in two games out of the three. I can’t one hundred per cent say that but I think they’ve said they are going to try and start him in two out of the three.

“That’s more promising.

“I know what he can do. He’s going to be a good player but every player has got to be at a level for their ability to come through really. That’s what we trying to get to."