How Middlesbrough are expected to line up against Stoke City in the second round of the Carabao Cup with seven changes again
Michael Carrick is expected to ring the changes again for Middlesbrough’s second-round Carabao Cup clash with Stoke City.
He made seven changes for the first-round win over Leeds United and, in a mark of Boro’s strength in depth, they were able to leave Elland Road with a 3-0 victory. At the top end of the pitch, Carrick can now choose from Micah Hamilton and Tommy Conway – both of whom could be ready to start for the first time having only recently joined.
Boro aren’t quite so blessed with options at the back, however, where five injuries have left them short of numbers and Luke Ayling needing to play against Portsmouth as a centre-back. With seven changes again for this one, here’s our predicted Boro team for the Stoke City game.
GK – Sol Brynn – Having impressed in the game at Leeds United, Brynn will be expected to now make his Riverside bow in what will no doubt be a proud moment for the boyhood Boro supporter. With Seny Dieng likely to sit out the cups again this season, Brynn appears ahead of Tom Glover now.
DR – Anfernee Dijksteel – Having scored his first Boro goal in the win at Leeds, injuries have required Dijksteel to return to the Boro team in the Championship too. He impressed against Pompey on Saturday and will no doubt hope to try and use every minute possible to try and turn his Boro career around.
DC – Luke Ayling – There has been talk around 16-year-old Harley Hunt potentially making his debut in this one, with Carrick perhaps needing to protect his remaining fit defenders. But with Hunt so young, while he might come on at some point, a start seems a big push and therefore we’re sticking with Ayling at centre-back.
DC – Matt Clarke – For the same reason, Clarke will have to continue at centre-back too. After recently missing 14 months of career through injury though, every game is a blessing to the defender, who is clearly loving his football right now.
DL – George McCormick – While it might be a bit too much to ask Harley Hunt to start this one, fellow academy defender McCormick could make his debut. With Neto Borges due to sign, Lukas Engel is the only fit left-back for now but is struggling of late. At home in the cup against what is expected to be a much-changed Stoke side too, it feels like an ideal to change to give McCormick a go after his really positive summer.
CM – Dan Barlaser – The midfielder may have fallen down the pecking order after Aidan Morris’ arrival this summer but he actually played really well at Leeds and has been used quite effectively in the last two, coming off the bench with Boro needing a goal to try and using his vision and passing range to create something. He’ll likely start this one.
CM – Hayden Hackney – With Howson out, the question is which of the other two midfielders starts with Barlaser – assuming it’s not Law McCabe as he just returns from a slight injury himself. McCabe could be an option but, after Morris played the first round, we’re therefore picking Hackney for this one to balance the minutes.
RW – Micah Hamilton – Signed in time to make his debut from the bench in the last round, the former Man City man has since made two more sub appearances from the bench and showed his best to date on Saturday against Pompey. This feels like the ideal opportunity to get him on from the start to show what he can do.
AM – Tommy Conway – Also hoping to make his first start after two cameo appearances since joining, Conway might be a little more touch and go. He didn’t have much of a pre-season and Bristol City so Carrick will want to be certain that starting Conway in this one won’t put him at risk of a muscle injury. Providing he’s okay, we’re backing him to continue in the role behind the striker that he’s played so far at Boro.
LW – Alex Gilbert – Gilbert is currently being considered for a loan move before Friday’s transfer deadline but still at the club for now at least, it makes sense to use him in this one after a really positive outing at Leeds. Still having the potential to have an impact at Boro after recent positive showings, it could be a chance for him to prove himself and instead stay at Boro.
ST – Josh Coburn – Another who has also been linked with a move away as Millwall push to try and sign him, there is no deal in place yet and so Coburn can be involved here given he’s already cup-tied after his excellent outing in the first round. While it’d be a risk in terms of potential injury, he’s ultimately still a Boro player and it should represent one final chance to assess him before negotiations with Millwall continue.