Middlesbrough, England (My Sportsbook) - Middlesbrough announced on Wednesday that the club has signed Portuguese defender Abel Xavier for the remainder of the season.

The Mozambique-born Xavier is returning to the Premiership following a 12- month ban by UEFA for a positive drug test.

Xavier will turn 34 at the end of the month and has played twice for Boro's reserve squad since the suspension was lifted.

Manager Gareth Southgate is certainly pleased to get help along a banged-up back line. Right-backs Tony McMahon and Stuart Parnaby have both suffered injuries in recent weeks and Andrew Davies missed a game with back spasms.

Xavier will have no problem stepping in against EPL competition, considering that he has enjoyed stays at both Liverpool and Everton, while also playing at Benfica and Roma.

Southgate is not at all concerned about the suspension, telling the club's website:

"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.

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