As Middlesbrough's injury picture continues to improve, Michael Carrick faces increasingly difficult decisions when it comes to his team selection.

Looking to get back to winning ways on Boxing day, Boro host in-form Sheffield Wednesday at the Riverside, with Carrick looking to see improvements from his side after the 3-3 draw with Plymouth Argyle - certainly from a defensive viewpoint.

When picking his side, he will still be without Seny Dieng, Luke Ayling and Aidan Morris. But he still has some big decisions to make with regard to who starts this one. With three changes from Plymouth, here is our predicted Boro line-up.

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GK - Sol Brynn - With Dieng still out, Brynn will be a cert to start this one. He came back into the side when Dieng was still fit against Millwall and has more than earned his right to keep his spot even when Dieng is back, based on his two performances so far.

DR - Anfernee Dijksteel - Again, Ayling’s injury makes Dijksteel an almost certain starter. He had a difficult afternoon at Plymouth, though largely because of how exposed he was left. In general though, he’s having an excellent season and is more than deserving of his starting spot.

DC - Rav van den Berg - The Dutchman was about the only defender to emerge with much credit at Plymouth. He’s had a solid return from injury as his class shines through, making him another obvious starter when fit.

DC - Dael Fry - George Edmundson has had an excellent season at Boro so far and so a decision to not start him could be considered ruthless. However, Edmundson has looked a little off in recent weeks and with Fry back fit and already reminding everyone of his quality, it feels the right time to get him back in the side.

DL - Neto Borges - Like Dijskteel, Borges had a difficult game at Plymouth as he was exposed by the home side and lacked support from team-mates. Lukas Engel is back but it doesn’t feel like Borges will lose his place.

CM - Hayden Hackney - Not at his best at Plymouth but still signalled his importance with one of the goals and a general positive intent which is otherwise missing in his absence.

CM - Dan Barlaser - Jonny Howson has started the last two but Boro actually looked more commanding in games recently when Barlaser had played until his poor night at Leeds. With Burnley a few days later, Howson could be saved for that one, with Barlaser back for this one.

RW - Ben Doak - Though not at his best at Plymouth, Doak remains one of Boro’s biggest assets from an attacking point of view. He terrifies opposition defences and, even when he’s marked out of the game, Boro need to then find a way to utilise the extra space provided to others as a result.

AM - Finn Azaz - One of the first names on the team sheet right now because he’s clearly stepped up this season and made himself a central point of this time. Plymouth did a man-marking job on him and largely nullified him, which is something he might have to increasingly get used to.

LW - Riley McGree - Left Borges far too exposed while offering very little on the ball at Plymouth. And with Burgzorg coming off the bench and providing an immediate assist, it would potentially make sense to start Burgzorg. But since McGree returned, the Boro boss has appeared to favour the Aussie which is why we’re predicting he starts this one.

ST - Emmanuel Latte Lath - Two goals in two games for the Ivorian has taken him back to the top of Boro’s goalscoring charts. While talk persists of a potential exit next month, Boro might as well make use of him in the meantime when he continues to prove he’s fully committed.