MIDDLESBROUGH mana Tony Mowbray is mulling over whether to recall Matthew Bates and Julio Arca into the fray at Burnley.

The Boro manager will welcome back the duo as the club bid to extend their unbeaten run to eight games at Turf Moor.

Mowbray said: “I had to leave Matthew out against Barnsley because it was difficult to ask him to go again after what he put in against Sheffield United and at Ipswich.

“Julio is carrying a couple of knocks but should be OK.

“It’s not ideal playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday. We have to be mindful of the needs of the players.

“But both of them will rejoin the squad at Burnley if we feel the time is right.”

Mowbray expects a tough game at Burnley and admits in an ideal world he would love to rest more players.

He said: “I don’t want to punish those players who have just come back, like Rhys Williams and Kevin Thomson.

“In Rhys’ case it’s vital that we have him for next season, rather than punish him now.”