Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate is ready to return to action this Sunday.
The 35-year-old hurt his groin at West Ham last month and he was not meant to be back until December.
However, Southgate has reacted well to treatment and is now hoping to play against Fulham on Sunday.
"I am back in full training and hope to be in consideration for Sunday," Southgate told Sky Sports News.
The former England star is pleased with Boro's new look 3-5-2 system, but he insists they have to start to getting some consistency - which they have lacked throughout the season so far.
"In recent weeks we've managed to settle on a formula which seems to suit our personnel," he said.
"We have picked up some good results but it is consistency that is the key - fortunately nobody outside of Chelsea has put an unbelievable run together that can't be caught.
"We have two big matches coming up for us now with two homes game against Fulham and West Brom and first and foremost we need to get ourselves in the top half of the table.
"It will be tough as Fulham in particularly have played very well and perhaps haven't had the results they deserve."
Source skysport by Graeme Bailey