Middlesbrough's Patrick Bamford in race to be fit for playoff final

Middlesbrough could be without their top scorer Patrick Bamford for Monday's Championship playoff final against Norwich City.

The striker, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, played in the semi-final first leg against Brentford, but was forced to sit out the second leg at the Riverside.

He is struggling with a persistent ankle problem and has not trained in the past week.

Bamford scored 17 league goals this season and was named the Championship Player of the Year last month.

Defender Ben Gibson, meanwhile, has overcome a bout of tonsillitis and is ready to start at Wembley for Boro, who are hoping to end a six-year wait to return to the Premier League.