MARK SCHWARZER has declared himself fit to play in the biggest game of Middlesbrough's history on Wednesday night, even if it means becoming the masked man for 90 minutes, writes Paul Fraser.

Schwarzer trained on Saturday at the Riverside Stadium with a protective mask to protect his fractured cheekbone and manager Steve McClaren revealed afterwards that the measure seems to have worked.

The Australia international's availability is a massive boost to McClaren ahead of the UEFA Cup final with Sevilla, and there has also been further good news.

Striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has returned from Holland fit from the hamstring problem that has kept him out since the heroics over Steaua Bucharest in the semi-final.

Captain Gareth Southgate has also recovered from his hamstring niggle, leaving England-bound McClaren relieved.

"The mask Mark will be wearing is not very big and it just covers the area he needs it to," said McClaren, who fielded a youthful side at Fulham yesterday.

"It's nothing like the one Paul Gascoigne had to wear, which seemed to cover his whole face a few years back, and Mark seems very happy with it.

"He trained on Saturday morning and that follows three weeks without being able to train.

"It doesn't look pretty but it's a case of getting Mark out there with something he is comfortable with.

"We need our important players fit; with the likes of Jimmy and Gareth also looking like they should be for Wednesday it's good news."

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