Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones may have returned to full fitness but he's been offered no guarantees that he'll walk straight back into the Middlesbrough side.The 27-year-old Socceroos stopper missed the start of the new campaign due to an ankle injury he sustained in pre-season, allowing new Boro signing Danny Coyne an opportunity in goals and the veteran Welsh international has impressed.
But Jones, who was officially given the Middlesbrough number one shirt before the new season, is fit and available now, leaving Boro boss Gareth Southgate with a selection headache.
Middlesbrough goalkeeping coach and club legend Stephen Pears told the club's official website, "This week Gareth has to make a big decision."
Complicating matters though is the fact Coyne has been battling a back problem at training this week.
"It's a long week leading up to the game so we'll see how things go with his injury," Pears said.
Speaking to the Middlesbrough Gazette, Pears added, "We'll have to see what happens at the end of the week. The decision lies with the gaffer.
"But Brad is one of those players who can go straight in without a reserve game, so if he is called up, he will be ready."
But Boro are very happy with their new man Coyne with Pears concluding, "He's done very, very well since he's come in. kept four clean sheets and I've been very pleased with him."
Fourth-placed Middlesbrough will host Roy Keane's second-last Ipswich Town at the Riverside this Saturday in the English Championship.
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