After almost a year out of first-team action, Middlesbrough's Gambian winger Mustapha Carayol could make his comeback in Saturday's clash with Sheffield Wednesday.

Carayol, 26, had been a regular starter for Aitor Karanka's Boro in the early days of the manager's time at the club, but was sidelined after suffering a cruciate knee ligament tear during a goalless draw at Bournemouth in early March 2014.

The winger has been back in training since the Christmas period but, with his side performing well at the top of the Championship, Karanka chose not to reintegrate the winger into his side too quickly and risk further injuries. However, having played 90 minutes for an under-21 development side in a 7-1 victory over Blackpool, Carayol has finally been given the all-clear to return to first-team action.

He is in the squad for tomorrow, he could be involved tomorrow,” Karanka said in his pre-match press conference before Tuesday's narrow victory over Bolton, in which Carayol was an unused substitute. Tomorrow is a game that I think he can have his opportunity.

He needs time,” the Spaniard added. “He has been playing with the under-21s and his performances have been getting better, so I am pleased with him and he just needs to take the last step.

Carayol was expected to return against Bolton in midweek but, with Boro hanging onto a one-goal lead for the majority of the game, his potential lack of match sharpness was not risked.

With just seven points separating the top seven sides in the Championship, the flying winger's return will be a welcome boost for a team which has suffered a slight hiccup with disappointing results against Birmingham and Leeds recently. Meanwhile, having missed the Bolton game due to a concussion suffered against Leeds, Belgium forward Jelle Vossen should also be available for selection once again.

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Sam France
Former Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Features Editor at VAVEL UK, part of the VAVEL team 2014-2018.