Town boss Mick McCarthy has handed on-loan Barnsley defender Paul Digby his first league start for the Blues at Middlesbrough.

Digby, 21, looks set to come into the back four as the right-sided centre-half alongside Tommy Smith with Christophe Berra not in the 18 due to a knee injury.

The Sheffield-born loanee has previously made three sub appearances for the Blues in the league in addition to two FA Cup starts. For Barnsley he has made 11 senior starts and has made 14 appearances from the bench.

McCarthy has made four changes in total with Luke Hyam, David McGoldrick and Kevin Bru also starting, while Andre Dozzell, Brett Pitman and Jonathan Douglas drop to the bench, alongside Teddy Bishop.

Second-placed Middlesbrough start with Jordan Rhodes, while David Nugent is amongst their subs. The Teessiders make one change with Ritchie De Laet replacing George Friend, who has a hamstring injury, at left-back.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Nsue, Ayala, Gibson, De Laet, Clayton, Leadbitter, Adomah, Ramirez, Downing, Rhodes. Subs: Agazzi, Nugent, Forshaw, Kalas, Stuani, Husband, De Sart.

Town: Bialkowski, Knudsen, Chambers (c), Smith, Digby, Skuse, Hyam, Bru, Feeney, Sears, McGoldrick. Subs: Gerken, Foley, Bishop, Dozzell, Douglas, Pringle, Pitman. Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire).

Photo: Action Images

prebsa added 14:19 - Apr 23 Weakening an already poor defence. Zero creativity in the midfield. And players again wasted in the wrong positions. Mick Out
6

jcITFC added 14:19 - Apr 23 Do your worst, boro
5

BlueGoonie added 14:24 - Apr 23 Mick must have faith in Digby, to give him a start against a side like Boro especially away. More likely to have Skuse & Hyam sitting in front of the back four and Bru advanced, with Feeney & Sears wide & Didz up front
2

Cloddyseedbed added 14:25 - Apr 23 Bru most certainly can not play wide right as he has consistently shown every time he has been asked to play there. Just a tad concerned that Digby has been chosen to come in and play against Rhodes or Nugent too after watching him play in U21's. I'd like to say I'm sure MM knows what he's doing but over the last few months I'm not so sure he knows who is is himself anymore.

3

Seasider added 14:27 - Apr 23 Bit of surprise that a loanee who couldn't get into Barnsley side regularly is starting.Wonder why Christophe not in the 18? L
1

Seasider added 14:27 - Apr 23 Bit of surprise that a loanee who couldn't get into Barnsley side regularly is starting.Wonder why Christophe not in the 18? L
3

Seasider added 14:27 - Apr 23 Bit of surprise that a loanee who couldn't get into Barnsley side regularly is starting.Wonder why Christophe not in the 18? L
0

samsonblue added 14:29 - Apr 23 Will you 2 just leave it out. When the team has played, then we can judge them. Always optimistic about the game. If you think you could do a better job, I expect the town to be inundated with job applications if MM does leave. Until then, give it a rest. Coyb. show Middlesbrough what we are made of.
1

LondonBlue99 added 14:30 - Apr 23 @prebsa i'd have to say, bru is pretty creative and if you want a creative midfield you would have to drop Skuse, tbh nobody wants that.
-1

Drew added 14:30 - Apr 23 Do your worst Boro, mwahahahahahaha!
1

raycrawfordswig added 14:32 - Apr 23 Seasiders Berra is injured
1

prebsa added 14:36 - Apr 23 @londonblue99 i agree with you too, but he will most likely be playing wide right (i could be wrong!) if he does then that is really not helpful because he is not a right midfielder!
2

Churchmanschild added 14:36 - Apr 23 I would think with Rhodes and NUGENT about we have little to no chance.......but you never know.
0

prebbs007 added 14:38 - Apr 23 What a pile of cr&p team that is.
1

BrettenhamBlue added 14:39 - Apr 23 He's been awful at rb, but looks like he'll be playing cb so let's wait and see.
1

LondonBlue99 added 14:39 - Apr 23 @prebsa thats fair enough
2

Chicago_Blue added 14:42 - Apr 23 Oh good lord, Skuse and Hyam together again!
3

footyblue added 14:42 - Apr 23 oh dear in for a hiding today it could ne a very embarrasing afternoon as a Town fan
3

jas0999 added 14:53 - Apr 23 Interesting selection and I wish Digby well. Makes sense taking a look at him in a game like this, as he has to be able to play against these type of teams if as expected he's going to be signed for next season. If not up to it, then no point bringing him in. Personally, I don't think he's good enough, but would love for him to prove me wrong. Surprised to see Hyam/Skuse again - adds very little.

3

muccletonjoe added 14:54 - Apr 23 Digby , Hyam , Douglas - all league one players up against prem league team in waiting
1

ITFC2011 added 14:56 - Apr 23 Personally I think this is a great team and wished he played it earlier. Apart from Berra that is. Work rate and creativity in midfield. Bru playing more centrally and will be able to go forward with slide behind him. Mcoldrick feeny and Sears up top together. Pace and creativity there! Not saying we will be beat boro as they are a very strong team but if we had played this team against others j feel we would have done well.

1

Kirbmeister added 14:58 - Apr 23 Which team could MM pick which wouldn't be dreadful?
2

sidtheswan added 15:00 - Apr 23 The dynamic duo Skuse & Hyam . Not !
6

Cheshire_Blue added 15:04 - Apr 23 How I wish the armchair pundits could take over and have us in the premier league in no time!
-2

TimmyH added 15:04 - Apr 23 Next stop on McCarthy and Co. 'miracle' tour - Middlesbrough and the Riverside stadium the miracle being an instant cure for insomnia. Skuse and Hyam together again, next week Douglas will come in for Hyam and rotate the next after with Hyam coming back in for Douglas...yawn. Wish Digby all the best!
4

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls