Middlesbrough's push for a strong finish to the Championship season has hit a minor setback, with manager Kim Hellberg providing a mixed bag of injury updates. The key concern is midfielder Hayden Hackney, whose recovery from a calf injury is proving more sluggish than anticipated.

"He's on his way back, but it goes a bit slower than we'd hoped," Hellberg admitted. The young midfielder has already missed the last three league fixtures and will be absent again for Saturday's clash with Portsmouth. Initial hopes for a return against Millwall were dashed, leaving the boss cautiously optimistic for a season-ending comeback.

However, the news isn't all concerning for Boro fans. There's a brighter outlook for several other squad members. Defender Alex Bangura, whose injury initially looked serious, is progressing well and could be in contention for the following match against Ipswich Town. "It's much better than we thought," Hellberg confirmed.

Furthermore, the weekend could see the welcome return of Matt Targett, who is expected to play through some discomfort. Attacking options are also set to receive a boost, with Morgan Whittaker and Sam Silvera both nearing fitness and potentially available for selection soon. For a team looking to build momentum, these returning players could provide a vital spark on the pitch.