MIDDLESBROUGH are hopeful their injury crisis may have eased ahead of this weekend with the return of winger Onel Hernandez. 

The Cuban 28-year-old has been out for the last few weeks with a hamstring injury missing games against Sheffield United and Hull City. 

Boro currently have a lengthy injury list, mostly compromising of defenders, ahead of another big important Championship game against Peterborough United. 

While a number of those casualties, including Dael Fry and Grant Hall, aren't expected back at the weekend, Heranadez will be asssessed before the trip down to Weston Homes Stadium. 

Speaking a few weeks ago, manager Neil Warnock said: "I don't think we'll see Onel before the international break. I'd be very surprised.

"He went out last minute of training. It was a disappointment, but we've had a few of them.

"It was a thigh strain. He had a few problems down there at Norwich with fatigue and that."