Middlesbrough return to Championship action on Tuesday evening versus West Bromwich Albion.
Michael Carrick watched his Boro side pick up a much-needed three points this past weekend.
After losing to local rivals Sunderland by one goal to nil, the Teessiders welcomed Stoke City to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With a tough run of Championship fixtures on the horizon, it was imperative the North East outfit got back to winning ways against a side who had lost four of their first six league matches of 2024/25.
And when all was said and done, Middlesbrough beat Stoke 2-0, with summer signing Ben Doak dominating on his first start and scoring the opening goal.
Boro have now moved up to eighth in the Championship table and could leap into the play-offs tonight if results go their way.
However, despite their shock loss to Sheffield Wednesday over the weekend, West Bromwich Albion are a quality side and remain top of the division with 16 points.
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Middlesbrough team news for West Bromwich Albion
Middlesbrough head into this game once again dealing with a number of injury issues.
Carrick confirmed that Howson was on his way back from injury last week but the Stoke win came too soon for him.
Rav van den Berg returned from injury on Saturday, coming off the bench late in the second half to get some much-needed minutes under his belt.
There were also two surprise absentees against the Potters with Tommy Conway and Matt Clarke both ruled out.
Speaking recently, as per Teesside Live, Carrick provided fairly positive updates on the duo.
He said: “Clarkey picked up a bit of a knock at the end of the Sunderland game. We thought he’d be alright but we’ll just have to see how that settles down. Tommy in training this week picked up a bit of a niggle. Again, we’ll have to see with that.
“Neither were able to play today but we’ll see if they’re able to play on Tuesday or Saturday [away to Watford].
“We’re not quite sure yet, but it’s not long-term for either. At the very latest, after the international break, but they’re both pushing before then.”
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Middlesbrough predicted XI vs West Brom
After his starring display over the weekend, Doak is expected to keep his place on the right wing ahead of Isaiah Jones.
And with Conway a slight doubt due to his injury issue, Finn Azaz should start as the number 10 with Riley McGree once again operating on the left.
Emmanuel Latte Lath will, of course, keep his place up front while Middlesbrough’s holding midfield duo will remain the same.
The only major real change is likely to come at the back with Van den Berg coming back into the eleven to partner George Edmundson.
This will likely see Anferee Dijksteel dropped and Luke Ayling operating in his natural right-back role.
Dijksteel was dubbed ‘really dangerous’ by Carrick when Boro beat Leeds United last month but he remains behind Ayling in the defensive pecking order despite playing well in his limited outings so far this season.
Here’s how we think Middlesbrough will line up against West Brom on Tuesday…
Dieng (GK)
Ayling
Van den Berg
Edmundson
Borges
Hackney
Morris
Doak
Azaz
McGree
Latte Lath