MIDDLESBROUGH are prepared to go all the way to the High Court to win back their three points.

Bitter Boro were docked them after refusing to fulfil their Premiership fixture with Blackburn Rovers in December.

The two clubs are preparing to meet for the first time this season at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow night, with Boro - having engaged George Carman QC to fight their appeal - embarking on an eight-day spell which will be crucial to their fate in the relegation battle. Bryan Robson's side have three home games in the next six days, then the club appear before the Football Association tomorrow week to plead their case over the match they missed.

That's 12 crucial points at stake and, although they have refrained from making public statements, Boro are said to be "very confident of getting their points back from the FA".

Initially, the anger of Middlesbrough fans for the punishment handed out by the Premier League was directed at Rovers, even though they had simply been victims of the Teesside club's controversial decision not to travel for the December 21 fixture.

Since then, however, a letter from the Premier League to protesting fans - revealed in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph - underlined that Boro had known of the likely consequences if they refused to play the game because of injuries and illness.

They had also admittted they could have fielded a team at Ewood.

That might take some of the sting out of tomorrow night's game but Rovers, through no fault of their own, are still likely to receive an uncomfortable reception. There have been suggestions Boro might accept forfeiting the outstanding game against Rovers if the other points were restored, as they would not then be disadvantaged against every other club - only the one their actions affected.

My sources on Teesside strongly denied that. It might remain a possibility, as it seems a reasonable compromise.

But I was told: "Boro are not going to settle for anything less than the three points back and will not consider anything else."

Meanwhile, Chris Sutton is back in Rovers' squad for the battle on the pitch.

Per Pederson will play and Tony Parkes must decide whether to form a new strike pairing. In view of his lengthy absence, a place on the bench could be the best option for Sutton. Boro's cause has been boosted by some of their overseas stars having shaken off a virus.

They include Gianluca Festa, a £2.7 million siging from Inter Milan, who missed Saturday's win at Leicester.

Festa is a certainty to return, as he has been a key man in Boro's revival, and he will probably replace Steve Vickers at the back.

Ticket sales for the game stopped at lunchtime today but Rovers fans can get them on the turnstiles tomorrow night, price £17 no concessions.

Rovers Reserves have a top-of-the-table clash away to Sheffield Wednesday tonight.

Rovers FA Youth Cup quarter-final clash against Norwich City at Ewood tonight has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. The resheduled game will take place on Monday March 24 (kick-off 7pm).

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