Healthy Bates would prefer survival

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The 22-year-old utility man has enjoyed a run of 12 starts in 13 games for the club with which he won the FA Youth Cup back in 2004 before an injury nightmare took its toll.

He said: "It's difficult to put into words really. On a personal level, I am happy to be back playing and playing for Middlesbrough Football Club - but I would swap all that for surviving in the Premier League."

Bates has endured two and a half years of misery and three cruciate ligament operations, and his sheer delight at simply being fit and back in harness is entirely understandable.

It is a measure, then, of his commitment to the club that he would gladly trade it all for a win at West Ham Sunday and an unlikely sequence of results elsewhere which would keep Boro up.

He said: "On a personal level, I have enjoyed being back playing after the last two years of injuries.

"Hopefully next year, I will carry on progressing personally. Wherever the club will be, they will fight either way, and if they go in into the Championship, I am sure we will bounce right back up."

Boro find themselves in dire straits as they prepare for their final game of the season knowing a point for Hull at home to Manchester United would make their result irrelevant. However, they are refusing to give up on their dream of staging a great escape, something which only three points for them and defeat for both the Tigers and Newcastle could bring.

Bates said: "Mathematically, we are still in there, but the odds are stacked against us. It's a difficult situation to get your head around.

"You have got to stay positive as much as possible - it's not over until the fat lady sings, as the saying goes."