Middlesbrough new boy Jordan Rhodes set for immediate reunion with Blackburn
Jordan Rhodes is set for an immediate reunion with former club Blackburn as Middlesbrough attempt to return to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Striker Rhodes, a B#9million signing on transfer deadline day, is in line for a debut, as are loan signings Ritchie de Laet and Gaston Ramirez, while striker Kike Sola will hope for a chance after twice being an unused substitute since arriving from Athletic Bilbao.
Full-back George Friend is out for up to a month after he fractured a shoulder blade during the recent home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Central defender Ben Gibson (hip) returns to contention after missing the last four games, while Damia Abella (knee) and Alex Baptiste (fractured leg) are still out.
Blackburn's deadline-day signing Jordi Gomez is expected to make his first appearance for the club after arriving on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season.
Manager Paul Lambert has a selection conundrum up front. Danny Graham returns to contention after being cup-tied, while Tony Watts scored on his debut in last week's FA Cup win at Oxford and Simeon Jackson, making his first start, was in fine form.
Elliott Ward also had an outstanding debut at Oxford and Lambert must decide whether to stick with him or recall Shane Duffy alongside Grant Hanley in central defence.
Lambert is expected to rotate his squad after making six changes for the Oxford game. Midfielder Hope Akpan remains doubtful after sustaining a knee injury in training.
Source: PAR
