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Confirmed: Middlesbrough team news v Leeds, four missing for Riverside clash
Middlesbrough will be without four players for the upcoming clash against Leeds United at the Riverside Stadium.
The Hartlepool Mail confirmed in the build-up to Jonathan Woodgate’s press-conference on Tuesday that Daniel Ayala, Dael Fry, Anfernee Dijksteel and Patrick Roberts.
Middlesbrough are just three points above the relegation zone in the Championship, with Leeds potentially missing Kalvin Phillips and Kiko Casilla.
Woodgate was hopeful that Ayala will be back as soon as possible but insisted that he can still make numerous changes from the 1-0 defeat against Barnsley.
“I can make changes,” he said.
“We still have big players out in Ayala and Roberts. We haven’t won since Ayala was injured. Hopefully, he will be back soon.”
Boro have three defenders missing and had Jonny Howson and Marvin Johnson as wing-backs at Oakwell on Saturday – something which is likely to continue on Wednesday.
It was Patrick Bamford who got Leeds on their way in the reverse fixture, opening the scoring in the 4-0 win against his former side.
With Middlesbrough lacking in defence, wingers Helder Costa and Jack Harrison could have a massive impact for the Whites.
Costa, in particular, is promising to start firing on all cylinders, similar to Harrison this season. The 26-year-old has had seven shots on goal as well as completing six dribbles in the past two victories according to WhoScored – seven more than the previous two outings against Forest and Brentford.
With Boro lacking in the defensive third, Leeds will certainly be looking to dominate the ball once again and take advantage at the Riverside.
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