Middlesbrough host Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup this weekend in what could prove a perfect opportunity for Alex Gilbert and other stars on the Boro fringes to get an opportunity to impress.

Michael Carrick has made clear that he wants to win the game, but it is well-known that their priority is the Championship this season. They currently sit fifth in the league table and have a hard push in the final 20 games to ensure at the very least they finish in the top six and make the play-offs. That said, there are no midweek games before or after this one, which means fatigue is unlikely to be an issue for Boro when Carrick makes his team selection.

With nine players currently out injured and unlikely to be rushed back for this one, Boro are likely to field a strong side no matter how many changes Carrick makes. But for Gilbert and other players who maybe haven't started as often as they'd like of late, this clash with Blackburn could be a good opportunity to have a better look at them - with Rovers boss John Eustace suggesting he will also make changes for the game. Here's the Boro players who could get some action this weekend.

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Alex Gilbert

Gilbert came up with the magic moment late on at Hull City on New Year's Day and will be desperate to get some extended time on the pitch to try and build on that. He couldn't make the same impact from the bench against Cardiff City at the weekend, but will hope for his chance in the cup. Finn Azaz has looked in need of a rest after playing a lot of games of late, and this looks like the perfect opportunity.

Lukas Engel

Back after a four-month injury layoff, Engel made his first start in a steady return against Hull City. Dropping back to the bench against Cardiff City, it appears a perfect chance to get more minutes into the Dane's legs. Neto Borges has played a lot of football in Engel's absence, so it would be an ideal rest for him too.

Matt Clarke

Having been so important in the second half of last season and start of this campaign, Clarke has made just one start and two appearances overall since the start of December. That's largely thanks to Dael Fry and Rav van den Berg returning from injury, while George Edmundson has seemingly moved ahead of him in the pecking order too. But this could be a good opportunity to remind everyone of his quality.

George Edmundson

Ipswich Town loanee Edmundson has proven an astute signing for Boro this season, helping them through an early-season injury crisis and playing so well it appears he's now ahead of Clarke in the pecking order. While he had a long run in the team, he's only played one of the last three games as he stepped in for Van den Berg against Burnley due to suspension. With the Dutchman and Fry only recently back from injuries though, it's to the credit of Boro's squad depth that they'd be able to rest both and still have a solid defence this weekend.

Law McCabe

With Aidan Morris and Jonny Howson out of late, Dan Barlaser and Hayden Hackney have had to play a lot of football. While Barlaser in particular will be enjoying this rare run in the side, Carrick might have that in mind when picking his team - albeit while considering that Morris is closing in on a return. McCabe is highly thought of at Boro and did really well in the final game of last season when making his first start against Watford. This could be an ideal opportunity to give him another chance to shine.

Micah Hamilton

It's no secret that Manchester City academy graduate Hamilton has really struggled in a Boro shirt so far. But always insisting that they needed to be patient with the young forward, there was from the very start a hope that he would grow into the campaign and perhaps not have much impact until the second half. Largely used from the left, Riley McGree and Delano Burgzorg have rotated a lot in recent weeks so shouldn't have fatigue issues, but this could nevertheless be an opportunity for Hamilton to try and shine. With Isaiah Jones the subject of interest from Luton Town, Hamilton could even get a chance on the right - which is where his best moments in a City shirt came.

Marcus Forss

Carrick has said he won't rush any players back from injury for this game and, with that in mind, we shouldn't expect Forss to start this game. In what has been a really frustrating 15 months or so for the Finn, it wouldn't be any real surprise if he wasn't involved at all in this one as he recovers from his latest injury setback. But back in training before the Hull game on New Year's Day, the Boro boss might be tempted to include him on the bench in this one and aid his comeback with a cameo from the bench late on after what will hopefully have been another solid week of full training.

George McCormick

The young left-back has had an impressive season after pushing his case to be a first-team squad member during an impressive summer. making his first start in the Carabao Cup defeat to Stoke, he actually impressed despite an early injury before being forced off at half-time with the score still only 1-0 at that point. Engel's return means he's likely to start, but McCormick might get the nod on the bench ahead of Borges in order to get him an appearance late on.

Harley Hunt

The young centre-back joined the club from Swindon Town in the summer and has regularly been around the first-team as a result of making an immediate positive impression on Boro coaches. While a loan move might be sought for him this month, there's every chance a place on the bench could come this weekend, with a view to maybe getting him a little extra first-team experience if the circumstances of the match allow.

Sonny Finch

Back from a disappointing loan spell at MK Dons, Finch has kept his match-sharpness up in recent months by playing for Boro's under-21s still. Despite how his loan spell went, he remains highly thought of at Boro and, with Tommy Conway injured, could make Saturday's squad.

Ajay Matthews and Dan Nkrumah

For similar reasons, with Emmanuel Latte Lath Boro's only fit striker right now, academy stars Ajay Matthews and Dan Nkrumah could make the squad this weekend. Matthews' talent is already well known and meant he was the subject of interest from Premier League clubs last year. But still at Boro, he made his senior debut towards the end of last season and continues to impress for the U21s. Nkrumah, meanwhile, had a spell on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge before returning to Boro, scoring for the U21s against Norwich last month and subsequently being spotted in first-team training.

Fin Cartwright

A young midfielder with bright prospects for the future, Cartwright has already had plenty of exposure to the Boro first-team after last season's injury troubles. Making his first-team debut in last season's Carabao Cup, aged just 16, he's clearly highly thought of and could be in contention with Morris and Howson currently out.