Middlesbrough need to immediately get back to winning ways as Derby County visit the Riverside this evening.
Following their disappointing home defeat to Leicester City at the weekend there could be a surprise recall in attack for Australian international striker Scott McDonald.
The 29-year-old hasn’t appeared for the club at competitive level since April but may be involved to some degree later tonight after extensive talks with manager Tony Mowbray.
Boro are currently without strikers Marvin Emnes (foot), Ishmael Miller (groin) and Mustapha Carayol (knee), in addition to both Curtis Main and Luke Williams, which could present an unexpected opportunity for the experienced former Celtic front-runner.
“I had a long heart-to-heart with Scott the other day and he’s going to be available again in my mind, although he’s always been available, as you have seen from selection he hasn’t really been available,” Mowbray told the Northern Echo. “Scott has put himself back in the picture after a long manager and player chat.
“We do have attacking options such as Ledesma, Williams, Jutkiewicz and now McDonald,” he added. “So when everyone is fit you have a real
headache to pick the balance of the team.”
Otherwise the hosts are lacking midfielders Julio Arca (toe), Adam Reach (ankle) and centre-back Jonathan Woodgate (hamstring).
Derby are without leading scorer Jamie Ward due to a hamstring strain and Michael Jacobs and Theo Robinson contest to replace him.
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