Ahead of a crucial game against Coventry City, Middlesbrough have been handed a major injury boost.
Hellberg “proud” of table-topping Middlesbrough side
Kim Hellberg is quickly becoming the signing of the season in the Championship. It wasn’t an easy task to succeed Rob Edwards after he made the mid-season decision to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the Swede has simply taken Boro to an entire new level in pursuit of automatic promotion.
At one stage, catching Coventry seemed like a mere fantasy for those in Teesside and every other Championship side, for that matter. Now, Middlesbrough haven’t just caught Frank Lampard’s side, they have leapfrogged them following a sensational few months.
Hellberg deserves every bit of credit for that and he couldn’t help but admit the pride that he has in his side now that they sit top of the league.
He told Sky Sports: “What I am most proud of is how we have changed the playing style in the middle of the season. From the previous coach to me, almost every number you look at is very different. It is not about right or wrong, just a different way of playing.
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“We were still in a good position when I arrived, but now we are doing things in a different way. We try to be an attacking, offensive team. We want to take the game into our own hands, believe in ourselves and believe in our feet rather than the opponent.”
Victory at the CBS Arena on Monday night would be the cherry on top, especially if it features the return of an attacking star for Hellberg and his side.
Middlesbrough gifted Castledine injury boost
As revealed by Hellberg, Leo Castledine is now eyeing an imminent return from injury, which could see him feature against Coventry on Monday.
The former Chelsea man has been sidelined since the Norwich City game at the end of January, but could now be in contention to play a part in the biggest game of his side’s season.
After arriving in the January transfer window, Boro know exactly what Castledine can offer if he returns in time for Monday’s game.
“We’re hoping to solve that one. He’s a good player. He’s done a brilliant job at Huddersfield – doing a lot of good stuff. He is capable of scoring a lot of goals. So he is a good player.” (Hellberg ahead of Castledine’s January move)
The 20-year-old is yet to score in Middlesbrough colours, though his goalscoring instincts should need no introduction after netting 10 goals for Huddersfield Town in League One.
The stage is certainly set for what would be a grand return. There wouldn’t be a better way to score your first goal as a Boro player than by doing so against Coventry to send Hellberg’s side five points clear at the top of the Championship.
