Defender holds onto dream

Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams still hasn’t given up on his World Cup dream.

The 25-year-old is back on Teesside following a spell with his family and ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.

However, the Australian international accepts he faces a real challenge to recover in time for Brazil this summer after damaging his Achilles against Wigan Athletic in January.

“My dream of playing in the World Cup is still alive,” Williams told the Evening Gazette. “I didn’t make the last one and I thought this would be the one when I could make a big go of it.

“Maybe it isn’t to be and I’ll have to wait for the next one but time will tell and I’m doing my best to get fit,” he continued. “I still think I’ve got a great chance of making it.”