Skipper Luke Chambers returns to the Town side at Middlesbrough this afternoon but otherwise the Blues are unchanged from the team which beat Nottingham Forest 4-2 last weekend. Manager Mick McCarthy has opted to stick with Martyn Waghorn in the lone striker’s role.

Chambers, who was banned for the Forest match, will go back into his central defensive role with Jordan Spence switching to right-back and Dominic Iorfa dropping to the bench alongside Joe Garner, who is over the foot injury which has kept him out of the last two games.

Michael Crowe is the sub keeper with Dean Gerken having suffered a minor injury, while Flynn Downes returns to the 18 having been suspended last week.

Middlesbrough are captained by former Town skipper Grant Leadbitter, who is one of three changes to the Teessiders' line-up.

Daniel Ayala is back from suspension at the centre of the defence and Patrick Bamford starts up front. Adam Forshaw, Dael Fry and Adama Traore drop to the bench.

Middlesbrough: Randolph, Christie, Ayala, Gibson, Fabio, Leadbitter, Howson, Downing, Braithwaite, Bamford, Assombalonga. Subs: Konstantopoulos, Friend, Fry, Forshaw, Traore, Johnson, Gestede.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Webster, Knudsen, Skuse, Connolly, Ward, Huws, Celina, Waghorn. Subs: M Crowe, Iorfa, Bishop, Garner, Sears, Downes, Kenlock. Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside).

Photo: TWTD

jas0999 added 14:20 - Dec 9 No real surprise. Captain always likely to start. Good luck lads!
2

12th_Man added 14:30 - Dec 9 Good To see iorfull is dropped think we might be in for a thumping
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OwainG1992 added 14:34 - Dec 9 Good luck lads. This is a game I'd probably expect to lose so anything from this would be a bonus.
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muccletonjoe added 14:41 - Dec 9 Agree Owain we could not realistically expect any points today so its a shot to nothing really
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Wickets added 14:45 - Dec 9 Why right off before a ball been kicked!
4

brian_a_mul added 14:55 - Dec 9 Boro have a good team on paper, Christie has been on good form and Knudsen will need to be on his toes.
1

madmouse1959 added 15:10 - Dec 9 Maybe we can pinch a late winner ?
0

eMeM added 15:12 - Dec 9 Not so long ago it was 4-2-3-1 with 3 or 4 strikers on the pitch. Now we have only one striker and don't forget Connolly is a defender. Overprotective defensive bull*.
2

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