Middlesbrough have had a difficult start to the season, suffering two defeats at the Riverside.

Leicester came from behind to win 2-1 last Saturday and Boro exited the Capital One Cup when Accrington defeated them by the same score on Tuesday.

Marvin Emnes and Lucas Jutkiewicz looked dangerous against the Foxes, with Mustapha Carayol delivering some inviting crosses. One time Charlton target, Albert Adomah, signed for Boro earlier in the week, so the visitors will have plenty options going forward.

Their downfall against Leicester was stamina, they faded badly after the break and they could have fitness concerns.

Chris Powell has some decisions to make after a much improved midweek performance against Oxford. Powell will be without Bradley Pritchard, who will serve the second of his three match ban.

The manager will have to choose between the trickery of Danny Green and the energy of Lawrie Wilson on the right of midfield. Johnnie Jackson is expected to be available after a calf niggle and if fit, the skipper is an automatic choice for Powell.

The manager has numerous options for Jackson’s partner but will probably keep faith with Mark Gower, though Dale Stephens will be pressing hard for a starting berth.

Despite his two goals against Oxford, Simon Church will probably start on the bench with Marvin Sordell partnering Yann Kermorgant up front.

The Addicks could start with this line-up:

Hamer; Solly, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Green, Gower, Jackson, Harriott; Kermorgant, Sordell.

Subs: Pope, Evina, Cort, Wilson, Stephens, Church, Pigott.

Paul Tierney from Lancashire will be the referee.

Powell will be hopeful that his side can increase the pressure on Tony Mowbray by inflicting a third defeat of the season on the visitors.

Simon Church’s impressive display in midweek has earned him a call-up to Chris Coleman’s Welsh squad for the match with the Republic Of Ireland next week. Church will be hoping to win his 23rd full cap at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Morgan Fox has been called up to the Welsh U21 squad after originally being on the standby list.

The Republic Of Ireland U21 team will face the Faroe Islands next week and Kevin Feely – currently on loan at Carlisle – is on the standby list for the game.