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Middlesbrough predicted line-up for Blackburn with many changes anticipated in the FA Cup

Alex Gilbert of Middlesbrough celebrates victory
-Credit:Getty Images


Michael Carrick insists his approach to the FA Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers will be no different to any other game - in that he goes in wanting to win the game.

Though Boro's priorities lie in the Championship, Carrick will show respect to the FA Cup - a competition he says means a lot to him. That said, he's not ruled out changes to his Boro side, with a fair few expected for Blackburn's visit, albeit while still naming a strong enough side to win the game and advance to the third round.

Boro currently have nine players out injured, but will be boosted by the return of Marcus Forss this weekend. The Finn has enjoyed a good week of training ahead of this one, but won't be expected to start the game. Here's how we expect the Boro team to look on Saturday.

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GK - Tom Glover - With Sol Brynn and Seny Dieng still injured, Tom Glover will retain his place in goal. The Australian will be enjoying this run in the side and has conceded only one unstoppable goal in these three games.

DR - Anfernee Dijksteel - With Luke Ayling not expected back until next weekend, Dijksteel appears likely to retain his place in the side. There are no other senior right-backs fit and it seems unlikely that an academy player will be drafted in for this role.

DC - George Edmundson - If there's one area in the squad that Boro are currently blessed with options it's centre-back. With Dael Fry and Rav van den Berg back fit, Edmundson has played just one of the last four games. It makes sense to bring him back in for this one.

DC - Matt Clarke - If one situation encapsulates Boro's strength at centre-back it's Matt Clarke's. After his excellence in the second half of last season and early on this term, Clarke has struggled for game-time more recently and has started just one of Boro's last nine. It makes sense to bring him back in for this one.

DL - Lukas Engel - After making his return from a four-month absence at Hull City, it's likely that Engel gets another chance for more minutes in this one. Neto Borges has played a lot of football in Engel's absence and could benefit from the rest.

CM - Dan Barlaser - Speaking of a lot of football of late, that's certainly the case for Dan Barlaser too, with Aidan Morris and Jonny Howson out injured. While Law McCabe will no doubt push for some game-time in this cup game, it feels likely that Barlaser will keep his place.

CM - Hayden Hackney - As too, we predict, will Hackney. McCabe could end up coming on in the second half for an extended run-out. But we expect in the absence of other senior options, that Hackney and Barlaser will start the game.

RW - Micah Hamilton - With Isaiah Jones on the verge of a Boro exit and Marcus Forss not expected to come straight back into the starting line-up, it opens up a space on the right wing - with Ben Doak unlikely to be risked in this one. In that respect, it could be useful to give Hamilton a rare game, and on the right too, to see if the role might suit him better.

AM - Alex Gilbert - Having come up with the heroics for Boro in the late Hull City win, Gilbert feels deserving of a start. Finn Azaz hasn't benefited from much of a rest lately, but should get one in this one to accommodate Gilbert's starting spot.

LW - Riley McGree - Between McGree and Delano Burgzorg, the pair have rotated a lot of late, with neither really cementing the role as their own in recent weeks. We're going with McGree to start this one as he could do with the minutes and a chance to play his way into form again.

ST - Emmanuel Latte Lath - With Tommy Conway out injured, Latte Lath remains the only fit senior striker. Burgzorg will be a potential option if Carrick wants to rest the Ivorian and save him for the league, while there are good youth options in Sonny Finch, Dan Nkrumah and Ajay Matthews. But it feels likely that Latte Lath will start.