Middlesbrough predicted line up vs Hull City as Michael Carrick hopes to have options boosted

Michael Carrick will be hoping his options are boosted this weekend as he looks for his Middlesbrough side to bounce back from their defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday evening.

Ending a three-game winning run, Boro were unable to replicate their recent attacking form as they felt the impact of too many absentees. Hayden Hackney and Aidan Morris were missing due to injury, with Morris definitely still out for Hull's visit. Riley McGree was also forced off with a dead leg, and, along with Hackney, will have to be assessed before Saturday's early kick-off.

On top of that, Boro were without Seny Dieng, Delano Burgzorg and Finn Azaz because of illness, with Carrick unable after Wednesday's game to give any clear indication as to whether they would be back for the game. With Carrick hoping his options are boosted, we name our predicted Boro team.

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GK - Sol Brynn - Dieng is likely to return to the side once ready to do so, having previously established himself as first-choice. Brynn has done well since coming into the side, but there were a couple of shaky moments on Wednesday evening. For now though, it makes sense to keep Brynn in and allow Dieng extra recovery time ahead of tough games against Burnley and Leeds United.

DR - Luke Ayling - While there might have been consideration for starting Anfernee Dijksteel in one of the three games this week, taking Ayling off in the Blackburn game was an indication that his minutes were being managed ahead of another start in this one.

DC - George Edmundson - Avoided his fifth booking of the season on Wednesday evening which means he isn't suspended for this one. Given his excellent form since joining, Carrick will be hoping he can negotiate the next two without a card too, with the cut-off point after 19 games.

DC - Matt Clarke - Dael Fry continues to wait for his chance to get back into the side, but, despite the defeat on Wednesday, Boro's defence was only beaten by an offside goal. Clarke was solid and unfortunate to end the game on the losing side so seems unlikely to lose his place.

DL - Neto Borges - Boro needed the Brazilian to carry a bigger threat on Wednesday and he wasn't able to. It's something they will presumably have looked at and worked on in the limited time since. As Boro potentially come up against Ryan Giles, Borges could do with a statement performance.

CM - Dan Barlaser - Boro missed Hayden Hackney's positive travelling with the ball on Wednesday evening, but it seems unlikely they'll risk him from the start in this one when tougher games against Burnley and Leeds United await. Barlaser's solid outing against Oxford was followed by a sloppy display on Wednesday - an inconsistency which encapsulates his whole time at the club. This is an opportunity for him so he needs more good days than bad.

CM - Jonny Howson - Howson continues his recovery from injury and three games in the space of a week could be a risk for him in the context. Like Ayling, he was taken off in the Blackburn defeat, likely with Hull in mind. He could also do with a bit of a step-up, as he looks a little off the pace - which is perhaps understandable given his injury and lack of games.

RW - Ben Doak - The Liverpool loanee is becoming increasingly targeted by defences and will be hoping his Boro team-mates can feed him the ball at better moments to be able to have a better impact in this one. Providing he's fit, he's a guaranteed starter.

AM - Finn Azaz - Having missed Wednesday's game through illness, the hope will be that Azaz will be well enough to return to the side on Saturday. Given his illness was first hinted at on Monday, you'd like to hope he'll be close to over it by now, with Boro really missing him on Wednesday.

LW - Delano Burgzorg - With McGree suffering an injury on Wednesday, albeit one that shouldn't be too serious, he should hopefully be in contention to play again on Saturday. But for the same reason as picking Azaz, we're also going for Burgzorg, who will no doubt be desperate to make himself available as soon as possible having worked hard to take his opportunity in the side.

ST - Emmanuel Latte Lath - Starved of service and unable to continue his fine goalscoring form on Wednesday evening, he'll be hungry to get quickly back among the goals on Saturday. Given Hull's frailties, you'd imagine he'll really fancy his chances this weekend.