Brian Clough returns to the Boro

A legendary Boro striker is set to make his return to Middlesbrough fresh from the treatment table after suffering a fractured leg...

Cloughie’s been sidelined for six months, but this week he’s finally been given the all-clear to return to his current position in Albert Park.

The bronze statue of one of the club’s all-time greats has been a popular draw since it was unveiled in 2007.

The piece by sculptor Vivien Mallock immortalises Brian Clough on the route he would walk from his home in Valley Road to his beloved Ayresome Park.

In 2009 the 7ft statue – situated near the park’s Cenotaph entrance – needed treatment after a stress fracture appeared on its standing leg.

That was successfully repaired, but earlier this year and new crack appeared in a weld just above the ankle of the same leg and the statue was fenced off.

Bronze Age Sculpture Casting Foundry were brought in to carry out adiagnosis and repair, with the work completed this week.

Brian Clough made more than 200 appearances for Boro between 1955 and 1961 and would often walk through Albert Park on his way to the club’s former Ayresome Park ground.