Source: SKY_Sports
Boro v Sheff United preview
Middlesbrough host Sheffield United in the opening fixture of the English league season on Friday evening, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1.
Boro will need to adapt to life back in the Championship quickly as they face a well-fancied Blades side.
Gareth Southgate has a number of big decisions to make before he names his first team of the new season.
He will hand a debut to veteran Welsh goalkeeper Danny Coyne, with Brad Jones sidelined through injury.
But that aside, Southgate's defence will have a familiar look about it with Robert Huth, David Wheater, Justin Hoyte and Andrew Taylor likely starters.
In midfield, another new signing, Mark Yeates will be hoping to start but he is likely to settle for a place on the bench with Gary O'Neil and Adam Johnson filling the wide berths, with Rhys Williams, Josh Walker, Didier Digard and Julio Arca battling for the central roles.
Up-front Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere look set to be sidelined through illness, so Leroy Lita could debut alongside Marvin Emnes.
Kevin Blackwell too could hand out a goalkeeping debut with regular Paddy Kenny suspended following a failed drugs test.
Blackwell has brought in Mark Bunn on loan from Blackburn and he could play, although veteran Ian Bennett seems a more likely starter.
Kyle Walker, who was sold to Tottenham and loaned back to the club, looks set to play while Andrew Taylor - a summer signing from Tranmere - should replace Kyle Naughton at left-back leaving Chris Morgan and Matthew Killgallon to feature in the middle.
In midfield new signing Lee Williamson misses out through injury whilst Lee Hendrie is suspended, meaning Nick Montgomery and Brian Howard should start in the middle with David Cotterill on the right.
A debut will come on the left of midfield with Kyel Reid likely to get the nod ahead of Keith Treacy.
Up-front Blackwell has a conundrum as he would ideally like to play Darius Henderson or new boy Ched Evans - but injuries have prevented either from playing in pre-season and he is unlikely to risk both, but one should start.
With Jamie Ward also suspended, transfer-listed Billy Sharp is in contention to feature.
