Middlesbrough predicted team vs Bristol City with big calls needed on Clarke, Morris and McGree
Middlesbrough return to action this weekend after a two-week international break as they host Bristol City at the Riverside.
With nine players returning from international duty intermittently over the course of the week and a three-game week ahead in which tougher tests on paper against Sheffield United and Norwich City are to come, Boro boss Michael Carrick has some interesting selection dilemmas. Aidan Morris and Riley McGree, in particular, will be big decisions.
There was good news on the injury front for Boro, with Dael Fry and Jonny Howson back in training during the break, while Hayden Hackney and Tommy Conway were going to be assessed closer to the game to see if they could shake off hamstring problems to be involved. Here's how we predict Middlesbrough will line up against Bristol City.
READ MORE: Middlesbrough injury latest for Bristol City with Tommy Conway and Hayden Hackney updates
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GK - Seny Dieng - Dieng returned to Teesside after playing twice for Senegal during the break. Sol Brynn continues to push him for the spot in the team and the young keeper this week signed a new long-term deal at Boro. But Dieng, for now, remains deserving of his place.
DR - Luke Ayling - While the right-back will no doubt hope to start contributing more with assists after his excellent run last season, he has nevertheless continued to be such a reliable player for Carrick this season. Regularly captaining the side in Howson's absence, he is currently ranked as the best right-back in the division, according to WhoScored.com.
DC - George Edmundson - With Fry back in training and Clarke fit again after a short injury, Carrick is starting to have some interesting options at centre-back. Fry's comeback is likely to be handled with patience, but, with Rav van den Berg also back in action before the break, there are still tough choices to be made. Since arriving on loan from Ipswich, Edmundson has proven really solid and doesn't deserve to lose his place.
DC - Matt Clarke - Whether to include Clarke and, if so, who for, is a big decision Carrick faces this weekend. We're going for Clarke to play ahead of Van den Berg on Saturday. That's simply because Van den Berg has been away with his country and is only recently returning from injury. He can be rested for the two that follow against Sheffield United and Norwich, where perhaps Edmundson and Clarke will be rotated.
DL - Neto Borges - It's not been completely plain-sailing for the Brazilian at Boro, but he is looking a solid enough option for Boro providing he's not left too isolated at left-back - as was the case when Boro were caught out for Watford's first goal a fortnight ago. It would be nice to see him start to contribute more in attack too, though the fact he's far more competent on the ball has been an improvement for the team as a whole.
CM - Hayden Hackney - Having withdrawn from the England U21 squad with a hamstring issue as a precaution, Boro have managed the midfielder carefully during the break and he's been able to do some training, but will be assessed closer to the game. If he can't play then Carrick might have a decision to make with regard to Morris who played almost two full 90 minutes for the USA before arriving back on Teesside on Thursday morning.
CM - Jonny Howson - It was for that same reason that Morris only made the bench after the last international break and the smart money would be on that being the case again. Jonny Howson has been pushing for a number of weeks now and his step-up in training during the break is likely no coincidence. If Hackney can't play, Carrick will likely have to pick between Dan Barlaser or Law McCabe.
RW - Ben Doak - Another positive week away with Scotland, there was also an element of protection as he didn't complete a full 90 in either of their games. That's good news for Boro and should ensure that there are no issues with him starting in this one and hopefully continuing what has been a really exciting start to the new season.
AM - Finn Azaz - Tommy Conway will be desperate to return to the team for this one, against the club he left to join Boro this summer. However, having missed the last three with a hamstring issue, Conway is in contention and will hopefully make the bench. A start seems a bit too optimistic, especially when there are two tougher games to follow.
LW - Micah Hamilton - Impressing in his first league start against Watford, Hamilton will be a safe bet to get the nod again. As well as a welcome confidence boost for the young Man City academy graduate, it offers Riley McGree the chance to rest up for the two games that follow, having played twice for Australia and then travelled from Japan back to Teesside.
ST - Emmanuel Latte Lath - Latte Lath is still desperately seeking a return to goalscoring form this season and that he hasn't likely played a big role in being left out of the Ivory Coast squad this month. That could be a blessing for Boro. As well as motivating him further, it also allowed him some time to head away on holiday and get some physical and mental rest. Importantly for Boro, he's still contributing in other ways, even if not yet with goals.