Neil Maddison looks likely to miss out on a return to his old club tomorrow after being told he is available to go out on loan.

The former Saints favourite, pictured left, has been out of the reckoning at the Riverside this season leading to specualtion that he might be up for transfer.

But manager Bryan Robson yesterday dismissed talk that he is looking to sell him but confirmed that Maddison can go out on loan if he wants.

However, he may need to call upon the utility player if his injury crisis continues to bite.

Centre-backs Gary Pallister and Steve Vickers are both back in contention although both may need a reserve game before starting in the Premiership.

Pallister has been out since September 6 with a bad back while vickers has been sidelined almost as long with a knee problem.

Christian Karembeu has also been out since the start of the month but may return at The Dell. However, striker andy Campbell is doubtful after hurting ligaments in the midweek Worthington League Cup win at Macclesfield.

Mark Crossley played in goal at the Moss Rose Ground but he has yet to figure in the Premiership and in-form Gary Walsh is likely to return tomorrow. First choice keeper Mark Schwarzer is still ruled out by a broken thumb.

Dean gordon, out for most of the past year with cruciate ligament damage, also played against Macclesfield but is still lacking match fitness.

Robson may go with three strikers tomorrow as he appears to be adopting a more attacking policy on the road than at home. It appears to be paying off as Boro are unbeaten on their travels winning one and drawing two. They are the Premiership's top-scoring side away from home with seven goals although they have also conceded five.

It is a different story in front of their own fans where they have yet to win, drawing two and losing two. The goals have dried up there two with four scored and six conceded.

Tomorrow Robson may well use midweek hat-trick hero Hamilton Ricard alongside targetman Brian Deane and Croatian hitman Alen Boksic who has been tipped by glenn hoddle as a possible player-of-the-year.

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