McMahon: Don't boo return of the Yak

Middlesbrough full-back Tony McMahon has encouraged the club's supporters to give returning striker Yakubu a warm welcome at the Riverside on Saturday.

The striker made over 100 appearances over two seasons for Middlesbrough, but made an £11.5 million switch to Everton in 2007 after allegedly requesting to quit the Riverside.

And McMahon has called for the home supporters to remember the striker's positive contributions to the team when he makes his return to the club.

"The way he left was up in the air but what's done is done, it's gone now," McMahon told BBC Tees.

"I just hope they remember the goals he scored and his time on the field.

"Everyone knows what a good player he was and he scored some important goals, and he was a good servant to the club."

Yakubu is currently enduring his most difficult period of the season so far, and has not found the net in his last six matches for the club.

The striker has hinted that he would like to make his stay at the Walkers permanent at the end of the season.

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