Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough take on Manchester City in the Premier League at the Riverside on Wednesday.
Boro have not won at the Riverside Stadium since beating Premiership debutantes Stoke City at the end of August, with the North East side now having to host an in-form City team on the back of a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday. Southgate will be hoping Brazilian International Alfonso Alves can find his touch in front of goal again as Middlesbrough look to improve on their modest mid-table position.
Mark Hughes’ side will travel to the Riverside full of confidence after their 3-0 win over Stoke at the Eastlands on Saturday, with British record signing Robinho scoring all three goals against the Potters and showing why City paid a massive £32.5million for the Brazilian from Real Madrid in the summer. Hughes will be looking for back-to-back wins and will see an opportunity to pick up all three points against a side that has not performed at home recently.
Middlesbrough are unable to call on Egyptian International Mido (hamstring) or defenders Robert Huth (ankle) and Justin Hoyte (groin), with Rhys Williams (knee ligament) and Julio Arca (ankle) also to miss the visit of the Blues.
Hughes is still without strikers Darius Vassell (knee) and Benjani (thigh) and Valeri Bojinov (calf), with midfielders Michael Johnson (groin) and Martin Petrov (knee) also ruled out of the clash at the Riverside. Welsh Under-21 International Ched Evans is likely to be rested after coming off at the weekend with a knock against Stoke, with Brazilian Jo likely to be recalled. Summer signing Zabaleta is suspended and not available to face Boro.
Middlesbrough: (from) Turnbull, Taylor, O’Neill, Riggot, Pogatetz, Digard, Aliadiere, Emnes, Alves, Shawky, Tuncay, Downing, Jones, Bates, A Johnson, McMahon, Wheater, Steele, Porritt, Owens, J Johnson, Hines, Grounds, Walker
Manchester City: (from) Hart, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Hamann, Kompany, Ireland, Elano, Jo, Robinho, Wright-Phillips, Ball, Schmeichel, Mills, Fernandes, Calcedo, Evans, Castillo, Ben Haim, Etuhu, Sturridge, Logan, Glauber
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