MIDDLESBROUGH have been dealt two fresh injury blows, with Tommy Conway and Matt Clarke both ruled out of today’s game against Stoke City.
There’s better news for Boro, with Rav van den Berg returning to the squad. But the Dutch defender is only on the bench, meaning Luke Ayling has moved across into centre-half to partner George Edmundson, with Anfernee Dijksteel coming into the side at right-back.
Riley McGree has replaced Conway in the attack and will make his first start since the opening day win over Swansea City, with Finn Azaz moving to No.10.
Carrick has also made one unforced change, with Ben Doak replacing Isaiah Jones on the right flank. Jones is on the bench.
The severity of Conway and Clarke’s injuries is not clear at this stage, but the absence of the pair is a real blow for Carrick. With Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan still sidelined and van den Berg having missed a string of games, Clarke has been key for Boro at centre-half, while Conway has enjoyed an excellent start since arriving from Bristol City.
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MIDDLESBROUGH: Dieng, Dijksteel, Ayling, Edmundson, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Doak, Azaz, McGree, Latte Lath
Subs: Brynn, van den Berg, Barlaser, Burgzorg, Jones, Hamilton, McCormick, Hunt, McCabe
STOKE: Johansson, Tchamadeu, Bocat, Gibson, Wilmot, Thompson, Burger, Koumas, Junho, Manhoef, Cannon.
Subs: Bonham, Rose, Stevens, Seko, Moran, Sidibe, Vidigal, Tezgel, Gallagher.
