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Schwarzer set for shock return against the Gunners

Mark Schwarzer is set for a shock return just over a week after suffering a broken thumb.

Middlesbrough's Australian international goalkeeper is in line to face unbeaten Premier League leaders Arsenal today and cap an amazing comeback by the 35-year-old, who had been expected to be sidelined until Christmas.

Sydney-born Schwarzer hopes to play with a protective cast on the hairline fracture suffered in training at the end of last month and Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate confirmed: "Mark's keen to play and we'll check on him on Saturday [yesterday] to see if he can get the go-ahead."

Schwarzer, who is set to reopen contract negotiations with the club next month, has missed just one game since sustaining the injury. He has been back in training this week.

"I'm not too certain about the kind of protection Mark's been wearing on the thumb, it's something our goalkeeping coach has been dealing more with, but he's certainly hoping to face Arsenal," Southgate said.

Boro, who have dropped into the bottom three after an 11-game winless streak stretching back to the start of September, have seen their casualty-list clear, with Egyptian striker Mido their only long-term absentee.

Stewart Downing insists the spirit in the camp remains high, claiming that Boro are confident of putting a dent in Arsenal's title ambitions.

"People might look at this match and expect a rout, but we beat Arsenal here two years ago and we could surprise a few people again," Downing said. "They're a team who let you have a lot of the ball at home and I remember [Arsenal manager] Arsene Wenger saying we're a side who can cause Arsenal problems."

Wenger, meanwhile, has been dismissing suggestions that Arsenal are stifling the development of English talent.

The leaders hope to stretch their unbeaten league sequence to an impressive 23 games this weekend, but the Frenchman has drawn criticism for an over-emphasis on foreign talent despite fashioning one of the most exciting sides seen in the English top flight.

Arsenal often fail to field a single English player, but Wenger makes no apologies for his multi-national approach, insisting he looks at the player first and the passport later.

"For me it's about what you're like as a football player, that's the most interesting factor for me. It's not about where you're born," Wenger said.

Arsenal are still without Cesc Fabregas, Alex Hleb (both hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Robin van Persie (knee) and Abou Diaby (back) as they aim to record only a second victory in their last five visits to the Riverside Stadium.
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