MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren will go into tomorrow's clash at Highbury with his first choice back four all on the injury list.

The Boro boss will definitely be without skipper Gareth Southgate (knee) and Michael Reiziger (shoulder), with Ugo Ehiogu nursing a back problem and Franck Queudrue having just returned to training after a knee injury.

There is also a worry over Ray Parlour who picked up a knee injury against Newcastle last weekend which could end all hopes of an emotional return to north London for the former Gunner.

With the defence facing the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, McClaren admitted it was hardly the best preparations against side looking to extend their unbeaten Premiership record to 42 games.

"We're without Reiziger with a shoulder problem we hope will settle down, Southgate is very doubtful with his knee, Ehiogu woke up this morning with a back spasm and he's a doubt," said McClaren last night.

"Ray Parlour took a knock last week and Mark Viduka is suspended.

"We went through pre-season pretty well without any problems and then we pick up a few knocks in training and in the first game of the season

"But we've got a squad and we'll just get on with it."

Veteran centre-back Colin Cooper could partner Chris Riggott at the heart of the defence and McClaren would have no fears about putting the 37-year-old into the firing line.

McClaren said: "He missed the majority of pre-season with his knee injury. He's come back and he's training well.

"He's played a couple of reserve matches and there's no hesitation that he can come in."

According to McClaren, Parlour is one player who will sweat blood in his bid to turn out tomorrow.

The midfielder will be presented with an award for his 13 years of service at Highbury, and the Boro boss refuses to rule him out.

He said: "His knee is a little bit sore. If you ask Ray he'd walk on there on crutches. That's how bad he'll want to play.

"There's a presentation arranged before the game on Sunday. Maybe that's to wind him up."

* Wenger is unlikely to have Patrick Vieira fit for the game tomorrow. The Arsenal boss said: "Patrick is not ready yet. I don't know when he will be ready, but he is not far away.

"He needs a good preparation, and I'm convinced he will come back stronger than ever."

Wenger will also be without Sol Campbell, who is suffering from an Achilles tendon injury.

"Sol is also making progress but he won't be ready to play for three or four weeks."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.