Kids are alright for Boro

Middlesbrough travel to local rivals Sunderland this evening for their Capital One Cup fourth round tie.

Boro are once again hit by injuries with striker Marvin Emnes their latest casualty after suffering a hamstring problem during the weekend victory against Bolton Wanderers.

He therefore joins Jonathan Woodgate, Rhys Williams, Kevin Thomson Julio Arca, Mustapha Carayol, Luke Williams, Curtis Main and Lukas Jutkiewicz on the sidelines.

The visitors are also without on loan Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran due to already being cup-tied.

As a result manager Tony Mowbray has been forced to include three youth team members within the squad, although Christian Burgess, Ryan Brobbel and Matty Dolan weren't expected to feature.

"We are a bit threadbare at the moment, and we will basically be putting out the team we've got," Mowbray told the Northern Echo. "I need to try to protect one or two players because you have to be very careful of the workload you put on to players coming back from injury. We don't have a lot of options, but we will pick a competitive team."

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill was set to make changes following the disappointing weekend scoreless draw at Stoke City.

Beninese international midfielder Stephane Sessegnon could be recalled and ex-Manchester United right-back Phil Bardsley may start for the first time this season.

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