Xavier signs Boro deal

Abel Xavier has agreed a contract with Middlesbrough until the end of the season following his return from a drugs ban.

The former Portugal defender has signed up for his second stint on Teesside after making two appearances for Boro's reserve side since his 12-month suspension for a positive drugs test expired. Manager Gareth Southgate welcomed the 33-year-old back to the Riverside insisting Xavier had paid the penalty for his transgression.

Southgate told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: "In no way do we condone the taking of drugs but the ban was reduced by the game's governing authorities which suggests there was a significant reason for that."

Xavier has repeatedly protested his innocence since testing positive for a banned substance last September and was originally banned for 18 months, later reduced to one year on appeal.

Southgate believes now he has taken his punishment, Xavier should be able to put it behind him and be given the chance to rebuild his career.

"I'm a believer that people in life who serve a sentence should get the opportunity to rebuild their life or their career afterwards.

"He has served his ban and he wants to force his way back into the side. Andrew Davies has been playing particularly well, so for the moment he will have to be patient."

Middlesbrough host West Ham on Saturday hovering just two points above the relegation zone in dire need of points.