Promotion may be the name of the game for both Middlesbrough and Blackburn this season, but that will be put on hold for 90 minutes at least this afternoon when the FA Cup takes centre stage.

Michael Carrick is focused on guiding Boro towards the Premier League, but is well aware of the value of a cup run and will look get some important momentum into his side with a third-round win at the Riverside today. Blackburn are hot on Boro's heels in the Championship promotion race and it promises to be a tight encounter again today.

Boro have a plenty of injury concerns and Carrick could use the game to reward a few fringe players with a start, with a place in Sunday's fourth-round draw up for grabs. Here's all you need to know.

When is Middlesbrough vs Blackburn?

The game takes place today, Saturday, January 11, 2025 and gets under way at noon. It is one of 19 FA Cup third-round games today.

Is Middlesbrough vs Blackburn on TV?

No, this one has not been selected for live TV coverage. You can watch highlights on Match of the Day on BBC One from 10.30pm tonight.

How to follow Middlesbrough vs Blackburn

We will bring you live blog coverage of the game here, with Craig Johns at the Riverside throughout the day for team news, match analysis, ratings and reaction.

READ MORE: Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers LIVE: Early team news and updates from Riverside

Early Middlesbrough team news

Michael Carrick has nine players ruled out, although Marcus Forss returns to the squad this weekend. Aidan Morris, Luke Ayling and Jonny Howson remain sidelined. Seny Dieng and Tommy Conway are not yet ready to return, while Tommy Smith, Darragh Lenihan, Sol Brynn and Alex Bangura are long-term absentees. Micah Hamilton and Alex Gilbert could earn starts, while George Edmondson could also feature.

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn referee

Dean Whitestone is today's referee. It's his first visit to the Riverside this season, having taken charge of the 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town and a 3-0 loss at Coventry City last term. The experienced official has overseen 15 games this season, showing 54 yellow cards, but no red.

FA Cup third-round fixtures

TODAY (3pm unless stated)

• Bristol City vs Wolves (12pm)

• Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers (12pm)

• Birmingham City vs Lincoln City (12pm)

• Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley (12.15pm)

• Leicester CIty vs QPR (2pm)

• Nottingham Forest vs Luton Town

• Brentford vs Plymouth Argyle

• Chelsea vs Morecambe

• Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion

• Norwich City vs Brighton

• Preston NE vs Charlton Athletic

• Reading vs Burnley

• Exeter City vs Oxford United

• Sunderland vs Stoke City

• Leeds United vs Harrogate Town (5.45pm)

• Manchester City vs Salford City (5.45pm)

• Leyton Orient vs Derby County (6pm)

• Coventry City vs Sheffield Wednesday (6pm)

• Mansfield Town vs Wigan Athletic (6pm)

TOMORROW (3pm unless stated)

• Hull City vs Doncaster Rovers (12pm)

• Tamworth vs Tottenham Hotspur (12.30pm)

• Newcastle United vs Bromley

• Arsenal vs Manchester United

• Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers

• Crystal Palace vs Stockport County

• Southampton vs Swansea City (4.30pm)

MONDAY

• Millwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge (7.30pm)

FA Cup third-round results

• Sheffield United 0-1 Cardiff City

• Everton 2-0 Peterborough

• Fulham 4-1 Watford

• Wycombe 2-0 Portsmouth

• Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham