Hellberg hopeful Middlesbrough star will return against Birmingham

Middlesbrough are hopeful Adilson Malanda will return for Saturday’s trip to Birmingham City, but Alfie Jones has been ruled out.

Malanda missed Tuesday’s draw with Millwall after picking up a knock, but boss Kim Hellberg expects the defender to be available this weekend.

“I hope Malanda can play,” Hellberg said. “That is my hope for the weekend.

“He gives us a lot of options and different variations where I can use him,” he said.

“He is a very good person and a very good footballer, every team would miss Adilson if he was out. I think he has been very good for us.”

Jones, however, will miss out after suffering a calf injury against Norwich and has not trained this week.

“Alfie will not play in this game,” Hellberg confirmed.

The centre-back is expected to return by the end of the international break.