Middlesbrough are set to face off with Oxford United in their first game back after the November international break.
The latest break from club football came at exactly the wrong time for Michael Carrick’s men.
Middlesbrough have dominated the Championship in 2024/25 for chance creation and xG but had previously struggled to turn their dominance into goals.
However, after a humbling defeat at the hands of Coventry City, things finally started to click for the Teessiders.
Boro put four past Queens Park Rangers on November 5th before smashing Luton Town 5-1 in their final game before the break.
Middlesbrough climbed up to seventh in the Championship table as a result and are now just three points away from fourth-place Burnley.
Carrick and co. are back in action on November 23rd versus Oxford United and really need three points to keep their promotion push going.
Middlesbrough sent Ben Doak fitness warning before Oxford United
However, Middlesbrough may have to take on Oxford without star man, Ben Doak.
Doak has been a revelation for the North East outfit since his deadline-day move from Liverpool, including providing three assists in his last two Championship appearances.
His excellent form earned the Liverpool loanee a Scotland call-up for their latest round of fixtures
The 19-year-old played 90 minutes of Scotland’s 1-0 UEFA Nations League win over Croatia before completing 66 minutes against Poland on November 18th.
Manager Steve Clarke praised the loanee after that clash but was also quick to raise concerns over his fitness.
He said: “Another assist for Ben which is good. I think he tired quite quickly in the second half, I maybe should have taken him off a little bit earlier but he’s a threat, he’s very direct.
“Having been a full-back myself I know you’ve got a winger like that who gets at us [defenders] it makes it difficult for the defenders and he brings us something a little bit different.”
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How Middlesbrough could replace Ben Doak vs Oxford United
This is not the first time Doak has seen his fitness questioned this month, with Carrick opting to leave him out of the matchday squad against Coventry for the same issue.
And after Clarke’s comments on Monday, it does look as though Doak may once again need to be rested this weekend.
In turn, Carrick will likely opt to start Isaiah Jones in his place on the right wing, which is probably not something Boro fans will want to see.
Jones has struggled for Middlesbrough this season and has already cost his side a few points with his poor defensive work and inability to create chances.
Summer signing Micah Hamilton is another viable option but Carrick has not handed him too many starts since his move from Manchester City.