MIDDLESBROUGH manager Chris Wilder has delivered a positive update on the fitness of his squad following an international break that has ‘refreshed’ the players.

Wilder confirmed that Dael Fry, Paddy McNair and Riley McGree will all be available for selection ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Peterborough United in the Championship.

Fry and McNair were both substituted in their FA Cup defeat to Chelsea due to injury. Fry’s withdrawl was more of a precaution while McNair suffered a bruised foot. However, the Northern Irishman completed 90 minutes with his country on Tuesday evening in their friendly defeat to Hungary.

McGree has been out of action with a calf injury since their 3-2 defeat on the road to Barnsley but has now made a full recovery ahead of the Championship run in.

The only absentee in the squad is Argentine midfielder Martin Payero who has been out with since February with an ankle problem he picked up during their 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers.

Speaking at this morning’s press conference, Wilder said: “They are quite fortunate now, these modern day footballers, that have these international breaks.

“They can get away and get a bit of sun on their backs and find a couple of quid to pay for that. It certainly wasn’t the case in my day, it was right the way through. But we have to maximise that.

“We’re going into the last nine games of the season with a healthy squad, a group that’s really focussed and know what’s in front of us, knows where we can take this and from a health point of view, an incredible position that we are in.

“We’ve only got Martin Payero that is possibly a week to ten days away from being involved in the first team which I think is quite unique at this stage of the season.

%image('13503063', type="article-full", alt="Riley McGree in action for Boro. ")

“I know at times there is a bit of luck involved in that and we all need that. In terms of injuries and staying clear of big injuries. But there’s a lot of thought that goes into that and a lot of work away from the lights as well.

“An enormous amount of credit should go to the medical staff for that in conjunction with the attitude of the players to be in this position going into the last nine games of the season where I’ve got a fully fit squad to choose from. I would think that is quite unique in terms of the league and where it is at the moment.”

A number of other players were also international duty over the last fortnight but the manager was pleased to report that they have all come through unscathed as he continued: “Sporar has come back okay. Flo has had a great camp with England. Scored a few goals and been successful. I had a message from Lee Carsley to say how impressed he was with Flo and what a good camp it was for him personally.

“Paddy went away and missed the first game which was a sensible position. Not surprised that Paddy made himself available for the second game. His love and passion for his country is there to be seen and his love and passion for his football club is there as well. So he’s available as well.

“A couple of the younger ones went away. Caolan Boyd-Munce went away, Nathan Wood went away. There’s a little bit of ‘please come back healthy’. Thankfully we are in that place and it’s a good place to be in.”

Before the international break, Wilder has spoken of the Championship being a tired league and that his players were ready for a couple of weeks without the focus of a game lingering over them.

After a period of time away from the pitch, Boro now have nine games ahead of them to mount their push for the play-offs. In terms of the health of the squad, the manager believes they are now in a really good place to do that.

Widler added: "There was a lot of talk from managers in the Championship regarding how tired the league looked at that stage so I think it was a welcome break from everybody to rest not just bodies but minds as well.

"I’ve got to say, my early assessment is that it came at a good time for us. The players had a decent break and back in over the weekend and had a full week’s training. We’re now looking forward to a difficult game on Saturday but they’ve got a spring in their step.

“Refreshed and looking forward to a huge last nine games of the season and hopefully a couple more games to take on at the end as well.”

Boro make the trip to bottom of the league Posh tomorrow sitting in seventh place in the Championship table.