Following the two cup games against Premier League opposition, Michael Carrick finds himself in the unfamiliar position of being able to freshen up his side and ring the changes for the Championship test against Millwall.
I say unfamiliar, because the Boro boss has had to endure weeks of injuries, suspensions and unavailable players as he carefully navigates the season’s relentless schedule. That has marginally changed for the better in the last week or so, with six players coming back into contention for the Millwall game.
Marcus Forss and Lewis O’Brien are both back in full training now and could be in the match day squad at the Den. Morgan Rogers (suspended) and Sam Greenwood (cup-tied) also return and will be looking for a start, and new arrivals Luke Ayling and Finn Azaz could come straight in to the side depending on Carrick’s willingness to throw them in so early.
Given the small matter of fatigue and ensuring there are no further injury concerns, here is how I think Middlesbrough will set up against the Lions.
GK-Tom Glover
No surprise here. Dieng, now back on Teesside, is still working back towards fitness and is not ready to resume. Glover is growing in confidence and has turned in some excellent performances. Boro certainly have not suffered as a consequence of their number 2 getting a run of games.
RB-Luke Ayling
Ayling has not played a lot of football but is the consummate professional. Dijksteel is not far away, but won’t be ready to face Millwall, which leaves van den Berg or Jones in the wing-back position. Ayling’s physicality and readiness for a tussle will tempt Carrick into pitching him in against a tough Millwall side.
CB-Rav van den Berg
Probably Boro’s first choice at centre-back. He is very capable at right-back, but it feels like the team loses a bit of his commanding brilliance in the middle when he is utilised on the right. Getting better with each game and looks like he has played there for years. Easy to forget he is only 19-years-old.
CB-Matt Clarke
Harsh on Dael Fry who has been a rock, but Clarke offers that balance on the left, and his displays have been dominant of late. He attacks everything that comes into the box and his relationship with Engel is improving as the pair continue in their respective roles. Matt Clarke went a long period without playing football, but he is still only 27, and I think the run of consecutive games is good for his rehabilitation.
LB-Lukas Engel
Looked imperious at times against Chelsea. Had to adapt very quickly when Bangura went off, reverting back to his left wing-back role from a left centre-back position with minimum fuss. He is beginning to look like a leader in the side and will have to carry the fight down the left for a while now with Alex Bangura expected to be absent for the forseeable.
CM-Hayden Hackney
After only just returning from injury, he stepped in against Aston Villa and Chelsea as though he had not missed a minute. He is so important to Carrick and even though he has earned a rest, Hayden will be telling him, ‘I’m ready to continue’. I think this game is an ideal opportunity to give Jonny Howson, who has played just about every minute for the last month or so, a breather.
CM-Dan Barlaser
Barlaser has been a revelation in recent weeks. His deep lying starting position, often just inbetween the two centre-backs, has allowed Boro to play out accurately and initiate attacks from deep with his incisive passing repertoire. He looks fitter for the run of games and has even shown he can step away from challenges and carry the ball forward as opposed to just passing from a standing position.
LW-Finn Azaz
Was in good form for Plymouth and will be ready to come into the side in terms of his fitness levels. The only caveat with that is that sometimes players take a while to understand what is being asked of them in new surroundings. Azaz is a clever, intelligent footballer though and should suit Boro’s style perfectly. He is a potent goal threat drifting in from the left.
CAM-Morgan Rogers
Morgan will have been bitterly disappointed to have missed out on the Chelsea clash. He was starting to put together the consistency that was perhaps lacking at the start of the season. Will impact games if he continues in the same manner. His high energy work rate will be a big plus in this encounter.
RW-Sam Greenwood
Sam has got amongst the goals this season and again, after having to sit out the cup game in midweek, he is surely a strong contender to play against Millwall. The right-side is not his favoured position, but the front three behind the striker can be interchangeable.
ST-Matt Crooks
Josh Coburn has had to run around covering every square metre of turf at the Riverside for nearly two full matches. The fact that it was against Premier League opposition and he was, at times isolated without too much support means that he will be very jaded. Crooks will offer that physical presence up top and although he is not one to run in behind, he can play the nine role if required. Carrick alluded to his suitability to the more advanced role further up the pitch in a previous press conference, so it would not be a huge surprise to see him up top for this one.