Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede is closing in on his return from a broken ankle according to Boro boss Tony Pulis.

Gestede suffered the injury halfway through last season and although he made a brief return for the playoff semi-final second leg against his former club, Aston Villa, he has been sidelined so far this campaign.

"Rudy was out for a long time, he’s training and has had a week with us,” Pulis said to the Boro official website. 

“I’ll speak to the doctor and get him moving. He’s getting close, which is good for us.

“He’s been training with us, he’s had a week’s training and, having been out for three months, it’s a lot for him."

The Benin international has only scored six goals in 41 appearances for the North East side but his aerial presence makes him a dangerous and unique weapon in the Boro ranks.

He moved to the Riverside from Aston Villa in January 2017 and scored three times in 19 appearances last season.

Pulis has been in no rush to hurry Gestede back from injury with the club rich in depth in the striking department.

Boro boast the likes of Britt Assombalonga, Martin Braithwaite, Ashley Fletcher and Jordan Hugill in attack so have not missed the 28-year-old too much.

The verdict 

Boro are in a very strong position at the moment and the return of Gestede will only help that.

There have been moments this season when they have struggled to score by playing through their opponents so having someone like Gestede back who they can go more direct to will be a big boost to their season.