Football: Weekend guide to the Premiership
Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers Last season: No fixture
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WHAT STARTED off as a bad week for Middlesbrough with Gazza's turmoil took a turn for the bizarre with Bryan Robson's pounds 3m signing of Brian Deane from Benfica. The fans must be wondering where all this madness is leading to, if not back to the First Division, but at least the injury crisis at the Riverside is abating, with Curtis Fleming and Robbie Mustoe both back in the squad. Vladimir Kinder and Phil Stamp will both have late fitness tests, but 14 other squad members remain on the casualty list.
Expect today's game to be a battle of the walking wounded, however, with Blackburn ravaged by injury problems of their own. Kevin Davies is hoping to make an unexpected return after a month out with a throat abscess. Roy Hodgson, the Blackburn manager, admits he would have preferred to have given Davies more time to recover but Rovers' record signing will play because of the desperate situation at Ewood Park. If Davies starts the game, he could be partnered by Jason Wilcox.
MIDDLESBROUGH (from): Beresford, Fleming, Gordon, Festa, Vickers, Cooper, Summerbell, Townsend, Mustoe, Ricard, Beck, Deane, Campbell, Kinder, Stamp, Stockdale.
BLACKBURN ROVERS (from): Flowers, Davidson, Sherwood, Peacock, Henchoz, Flitcroft, Wilcox, Duff, Kenna, Johnson, Croft, Fettis, Davies, Dunn, Taylor, Worrell.
Injuries: Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Gascoigne, Pallister, Maddison. Blackburn Rovers: Gallacher, Dailly, Filan, McKinlay.
Suspensions: Middlesbrough: None. Blackburn Rovers: None.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments