Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' said he is willing to regain form and fitness during Middlesbrough's upcoming matches, following a lengthy layoff with a groin injury. The Egyptian striker made his first Boro start since October on Sunday, as the Premiership side were held to a 0-0 FA Cup draw with second division Sheffield United. Mido missed Egypt's African Cup of Nations triumph in Ghana, but the 25-year-old is hoping to get back in business with Boro. "I have been working very hard over the last couple of weeks," he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "I had a chat with the gaffer and explained to him that I wanted to do my best to get back in the side and get fit because I didn't want to come back when I wasn't fit because I would be useless to the side. "I have been working very hard with the medical staff and the physios and they have done a good job for me. "I am hopeful that in the next couple of games I will get back to top form." Big Impact Boro midfielder Stewart Downing indicated that Mido's return to full fitness will be boosting to the Yorkshire club's hopes of surviving in the top flight. "He is a big strong lad who can win his flick-ons, or you can play it into him and he will hold it up and play you in," said the England winger. "He's a bit like Mark Viduka in that he's a big strong lad and it's good to have him back. "He is working hard getting fit, and he's a good player when he's fit. If we can get him back scoring goals for us it will look good for us." Middlesbrough will face out of form Liverpool at Anfield in the Premiership next weekend.
