Middlesbrough V Nottm Forest at Riverside Stadium : Match Preview

21 January 2016 18:34
Middlesbrough V Nottm Forest - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Ben Gibson to miss out once again for Middlesbrough

Sky Bet Championship leaders Middlesbrough will once again be without central defender Ben Gibson as they attempt to return to winning ways against Nottingham Forest.

Gibson has missed the last two games with a side strain and is set to remain on the sidelines, with Fernando Amorebieta likely to continue in the role of deputy.

Spain Under-21 striker Kike Sola will hope for a debut after not making it off the bench during last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Bristol City following the completion of his loan move from Athletic Bilbao.

Head coach Aitor Karanka, otherwise, has no fresh selection problems with defenders Damia Abella (knee) and Alex Baptiste (leg fracture) both making good progress while training with the club's Under-21s while Jonathan Woodgate is still out with a back problem.

Forest boss Dougie Freedman should have an unchanged squad as he attempts to extend his side's unbeaten run to a dozen matches in all competitions.

David Vaughan is still suspended after his red card against Birmingham while fellow midfielder Henri Lansbury faces a fight to play again this season as he recovers from ankle ligament damage.

Strikers Britt Assombalonga (knee) and Matty Fryatt (Achilles) have been long-term absentees, although club-record signing Assombalonga might be back around the beginning of March.

Andy Reid's groin problem also remains something of a mystery and the midfielder has visited a specialist in America for advice on how to get to the bottom of the problem.


Source: PAR