Selection issues for Boro

Middlesbrough once again have selection issues ahead of Ipswich Town visiting the Riverside on Saturday afternoon.

On loan Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran is struggling with a thigh strain and Kevin Thomson is similarly a doubt due to a calf injury. Elsewhere, Mustapha Carayol (knee), Ishmael Miller (ankle) and Curtis Main (knee) are also causing concern.

Nicky Bailey and skipper Rhys Williams remain longer-term casualties, but at least Cameroon international Andre Bikey adds options in defence, while striker Lukas Jutkiewicz is back in the fold for the first time this season following knee surgery.

"Lukas is different to Ishmael Miller," manager Tony Mowbray told the Northern Echo. "Ishmael is more about speed on the shoulder running in behind, whereas Lukas is more about getting the ball into his body to bring other players into the game.

"I'm hoping the chemistry will be fine between them," he added. "At times, they'll play together, at other times one of them might have to sit on the bench and wait for the other one to come off."

The visitors have skipper Carlos Edwards returning from a groin injury while defender Elliott Hewitt may also receive a recall.

Midfielder Guirane N'Daw could earn himself a debut having arrived on a season-long loan from Saint-Étienne last month.

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