Boro take shot at cup

Middlesbrough are in FA Cup action this weekend when hosting League Two Aldershot Town in the fourth round of the competition.

Boro are definitely without the services of Justin Hoyte (hip), Jonathan Woodgate (calf) and Ishmael Miller (ankle ligaments), while on loan Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran isn't allowed to feature under the current terms of his move.

Elsewhere, eleven-goal striker Scott McDonald (back) is considered doubtful but the recovering Muzzy Carayol and Curtis Main were both expected to be in U-21 action at Chelsea later tonight.

"It's not so long since we lost to Burton Albion and Shrewsbury pushed us close last season," manager Tony Mowbray told Boro's official website. "We have to make sure our team know what's coming and then it's up to the players. We play in a higher league every week and we have to try to use that extra quality we should possess and take the chances when they come.

"We have to try to get back to winning ways but it's a potential banana skin, as we saw in the last round and as Bradford showed this week against Aston Villa," he warned.

Aldershot have striker Danny Hylton available after serving a three-match ban but on loan Dani Lopez has since returned to parent club Stevenage.

Fellow forward Lionel Ainsworth could therefore earn a first start while Terrell Forbes is cup-tied having already appeared for Chesterfield.

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