Town could face a Middlesbrough side with 10 players absent at the Riverside on Saturday.

The Blues, who remain second in the Championship table, travel to face the 12th-placed Teessiders, who are managed by boss Kieran McKenna’s friend and former colleague Michael Carrick, with two players, Massimo Luongo and Brandon Williams, missing from their own squad, the duo having picked up their fifth bookings of the season during the weekend 2-1 victory over Coventry City.

But, according to the Middlesbrough Gazette, Carrick (pictured above with Ole Gunnar Solskjær watching Town's game at Doncaster in February 2022) could be more significantly hampered when it comes to picking his side.

Defender Paddy McNair was forced off with a back problem during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Leeds, while Dutch right-back Anfernee Dijksteel was red-carded and is therefore suspended along with winger Isaiah Jones, who was shown his fifth yellow card.

Defenders Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith are out long term having undergone ankle surgery and Nottingham Forest loan midfielder Lewis O’Brien is another definitely out having also gone under the knife.

Riley McGree (plantar fascia) and Marcus Forss have also been absent since October and neither is thought to be ready for a return against the Blues.

Dael Fry (hamstring) and Hayden Hackney (groin) are on the way back and might be in contention for inclusion against the Blues.

Better news for Carrick is that forward Sam Greenwood will be available having been ineligible against Leeds, his parent club.

Photo: Matchday Images

dirtydingusmagee added 19:39 - Dec 4 dont be duped by the ''missing players'', this will be a tough match, if we come away with a point it will be a result imo .
17

Northstandveteran added 20:06 - Dec 4 Absolutely dirty. Likewise Watford.
1

ArnieM added 20:16 - Dec 4 Could they get the game called off? Leeds n Leicester will be peed off if we play against a very weakened side snd managed to win wouldn’t they!
-5

number8 added 20:39 - Dec 4 It will be 11 footballers v 11 footballers. None of the above matters.
7

gosblue added 20:55 - Dec 4 True but Misleading headline. 3 new absentees and 5 long term injuries. 2 more long term absentees possibly making a comeback and 1 definitely available after being ineligible against his parent club. They put in a good performance at Leeds after having recently beaten Preston 4-0 and Leicester 1-0 at home either side of a 3-2 defeat at Bristol City. This is going to be a great test of where we are at and I’m excited to be making the trip up there for what should be a great game. COYB

12

Monkey_Blue added 21:55 - Dec 4 Missing really should mean those who have been playing regularly recently so 10 is over egging it. The two suspensions we have? Luongo is a miss given he can’t even come on from the bench as he has in games taylor has started. Taylor has scored a couple of great goals, but in general play he’s not on a par with Mass yet. Williams? I think Clarke is a good alternative.

4

Radlett_blue added 22:33 - Dec 4 Arnie M - they tried that under Bryan Robson, got a points deduction & were relegated as a result.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 23:21 - Dec 4 I’ll be honest I didn’t realise Massimo was on 5 but glad he gets it out the way now and not miss Norwich, Leicester or Leeds games just hope morsy doesn’t pick up another couple of bookings before those game
1

warfarinman69 added 23:59 - Dec 4 Don't believe a word of it! We are missing 2 key players, not squad make-ups. I'll take point now
2

Saxonblue74 added 06:30 - Dec 5 Turn up and play our best stuff and we win, whether we're playing their first, second or ladies XI
2

ChrisFelix added 09:34 - Dec 5 There is a good chance that both our players would have missed one of Watford or Boro. So not really concerned. Regards Boro I bet Crooks plays
0

Linkboy13 added 11:05 - Dec 5 Middlesborough are my dark horses for promotion if we can go there and win it would send out a massive statement.
1

Nomore4 added 19:42 - Dec 5 Totally agree Saxon…..At our best, we beat anyone in the Championship.
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