NICKY BAILEY faces a late fitness test ahead of Middlesbrough's game against Watford this evening, but Tony Mowbray has a ready-made replacement in Rhys Williams should the midfield enforcer miss out.

Bailey limped off during Boro's 3-1 win at Doncaster in midweek and is rated 50-50 ahead of the visit of the Hornets tonight. But Australian international Williams can slot into the role seamlessly if Bailey does not recover.

Mowbray said: "That's the positive of having players like Rhys Williams, he has the versatility to play anywhere. You need versatility at any club.

"In my mind, Rhys Williams can be a top-class centre-half as he develops, but for the moment I'm delighted that we have him and his talents and he can play wherever we need him to."

Williams has played in both defence and midfield this season, but while his usual role in midfield is to get forward and attack, the 23-year-old will be expected to sit in the fulcrum of Middlesbrough's midfield in Bailey's absence.

Mowbray said: "He's got the quality to play in defence and midfield. Rhys has the attributes to play where we want him to play, he plays right-back for his national team, or centre-back or midfield for us.

"He has awareness and mobility. For the majority of this season he's been at the back but he can make an impact in midfield.

"We'll decide when everybody's fit where to use him, and where best it is to use Rhys. He could be best utilised in midfield but I need to take that decision week by week.

"He could be the best midfielder in the world, but if he's doing a job at the back and we're winning it doesn't really matter. I've got to utilise my players where they can best help the team. Everyone's got opinions but one person has to make the decisions.

"We're delighted to have a boy with the talent to play seamlessly in defence or midfield and do such a good job."