Source: Northern_Echo
Boro new-boys handed first starts at Palace
NEW signing Isaiah Osbourne has been introduced to Gordon Strachan's Middlesbrough team at the earliest opportunity at Crystal Palace today.[LNB] Osbourne, who arrived on loan from Aston Villa on Thursday, is likely to start in the middle of midfield, with Gary O'Neil providing the width.[LNB] That means Julio Arca, who operated out wide in last week's defeat to Plymouth, drops to the bench.[LNB] Striker Marcus Bent, on loan from Birmingham, also makes his first start for Boro and he will partner Leroy Lita in attack. Marvin Emnes makes way.[LNB] In the absence of Emanuel Pogatetz, Jonathan Grounds slots in at left-back. Chris Riggott and Andrew Taylor have been left out, despite travelling to London with the squad.[LNB] CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni; Butterfield, Fonte, Davis, Hill; Ambrose, Derry, Ertl, Danns; Sears, Lee. Subs: Clyne, John, Carle, Moses, Scannell, Djilali, N'Diaye. MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Jones; Hoyte, Wheater, St Ledger; Grounds, O'Neil, Osbourne, Williams, Johnson; Lita, Bent. Subs: Coyne (gk), McMahon, Franks, Bennett, Arca, Emnes, Yeates.[LNB]
