Mark Crossley is fit and Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has finally got a major selection problem on his hands.

The Welsh stopper had to be substituted after 20 minutes during the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool after a collision with midfielder Gary McAllister.

But Crossley returned to training yesterday with no ill-effect and he has declared himself ready to face Manchester United this weekend.

And with Australian Mark Schwarzer injury-free, after being told by a specialist he does not need surgery on a troublesome groin strain, McClaren must decide who to play against the out-of-sorts champions.

"There was no concussion and I am making myself available for the game against Manchester United," said Crossley, who needed eight stitches to a head wound.

"It was a 50-50 ball which we both had to go for and unfortunately I came off worse.

"I wanted to stay on, I just thought I had taken a knock, but the physio said I had a big hole there and I had to come off in case of infection.

"I would have put my money on Gary coming off worse, but I think his elbow caught me on the side of my head."

Marlon Beresford replaced Crossley in the Boro goal and the latter can at least take one consolation from the injury - he has still not conceded a goal during his time filling in for Schwarzer.

Since the commanding Aussie keeper went on international duty, Crossley has not allowed the ball to fly past him in over 290 minutes of Premiership action.

And now McClaren is faced with the headache of who to name in the starting line-up when United pay a visit to the Riverside on Saturday.

After the 1-0 win at Blackburn ten days ago the Boro boss revealed that choosing a keeper when both custodians are fit will be bestowed on the shoulders of goalkeeping coach Paul Barron.

If McClaren chooses to rest the problem with Barron again, the former Aston Villa coach has certainly got some work to do during the rest of this week's training sessions.

Boro have denied that out-of-favour striker Noel Whelan is available for transfer.

The 26-year-old is yet to appear in the top-flight this season and it was believed that McClaren was prepared to sell the player.

However, club spokesman Dave Allan said: "There's no truth in the rumour that Noel Whelan has been transfer listed by manager Steve McClaren."

Whelan was signed by former boss Bryan Robson for £2.5m from Coventry 16 months ago but has failed to have a major impact.

After a good pre-season the player was on the verge of starting the season up front until he suffered a foot injury in a friendly with Athletic Bilbao.

And when it emerged McClaren was keen to reduce the club's wage bill, Whelan was expected to depart.

Curtis Fleming, Steve Vickers, Dean Gordon and Dean Windass are all on loan at other clubs, while Brian Deane has departed to Leicester.

Australian Paul Okon is also on the verge of leaving after being told his contract would not be renewed and he was told to look for another club.

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