Middlesbrough aim to silence Stuttgart

A rejuvenated Middlesbrough FC team go into the home leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie against VfB Stuttgart well placed to reach the last 16 for the second year in succession after winning the first encounter 2-1 in Germany. But Danijel Ljuboja's late goal revived the visitors' hopes and Franck Queudrue warned "this tie is certainly not over".

Queudrue caution
The French full-back returned to the Middlesbrough starting lineup on Sunday after two months out with knee ligament damage, helping to guide the side through to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory at Preston North End FC. He is now hoping to have a similar impact on their European campaign but warned that Ljuboja's strike has left things open, saying: "Their late goal in Germany means they will come here in good spirits; it's up to us to kill them off. Stuttgart are playing well away from home and they will certainly make it difficult for us. It's only half-time in this tie."

Rochemback blow
Mark Viduka, Massimo Maccarone and Ugo Ehiogu have also returned to fitness, providing a timely fillip for Steve McLaren, but that has been tempered by the loss of Fábio Rochemback. The Brazilian midfielder sustained ligament damage at the weekend and will be sidelined for eight weeks, providing some hope for a Stuttgart team already buoyant after arresting a recent slump with a 2-1 win against 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the weekend - Armin Veh's first victory since taking charge.

'Nothing to lose'
"The win against Mainz provided a big lift," said Veh, who could recall Ludovic Magnin and Markus Babbel although Fernando Meira is suspended. "We created many more scoring opportunities than we have done lately, but we will not attack from the kick-off. Middlesbrough are playing at home so they will want to put on a show for their fans, while we have nothing to lose anymore."