UGO EHIOGU is on course to provide Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren with some festive cheer.

The Boro defender is expected to be back for the Christmas programme as he steps up his recovery from a knee ligament injury.

Ehiogu damaged the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the final home game of last season against Tottenham, Boro's opponents at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

But the problem wasn't discovered until the England international returned for pre-season training.

Boro sent Ehiogu to Birmingham, Alabama, for a consultation with leading specialist Dr James Andrews, who performed a successful operation on the knee of teammate Juninho in August last year.

The Brazilian midfielder missed the first six months of last term after tearing his anterior cruciate and undergoing reconstructive surgery.

But Ehiogu was assured after an exploratory operation at Dr Andrews' clinic that all he needed was rest and rehabilitation.

Ehiogu is back in "light'' training and Boro spokesman Dave Allan said: "He's working closely with the physios and sports science staff. He's building up his fitness slowly, but he's been running again for about two weeks. There's no timescale, we always said he would be out for around four months.''

Right-back Stuart Parnaby, another Boro knee-ligament victim, is also scheduled to be back in action before Christmas after returning to light work.

Like Ehiogu, the England Under-21 international escaped the surgeon's knife.

David Murphy, who broke a foot in pre-season, could be available again by the end of next month.

Fellow left-back Alan Wright made his comeback from a hamstring injury in the Reserves' defeat by his former club, Aston Villa, on Tuesday night.

And Argentinian midfielder Carlos Marinelli, who hasn't figured in the first team since scoring in the opening game of the season away to Fulham, is on the mend after a thigh injury.

* Michael Bridges is confident Leeds can pile on the agony for Liverpool and close friend Harry Kewell this weekend, writes IAN PARKES.

Bridges and Kewell have remained in contact since the Australia international winger's controversial £5m move to Anfield.

Saturday's clash on Merseyside gives Kewell his first opportunity to face his former Elland Road team-mates following six years at Leeds.

But striker Bridges has warned there will be no love lost, with the Whites determined Kewell does not enjoy a prolific match.

''Harry's doing well at Liverpool and he's enjoying it there,'' said Bridges, after scoring his fourth goal in six reserve games in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.

''We were good mates and we still keep in touch. It was sad to see him go, but come Saturday there'll be no favours."

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