Smith and Smallwood both make first start for Boro

08 March 2011 19:15
PAUL Smith and Richie Smallwood will both make their first Middlesbrough start when Derby County visit the Riverside Stadium this evening.[LNB] Goalkeeper Smith only joined on loan from Nottingham Forest this morning, but the 31-year-old goes straight into the starting line-up ahead of Connor Ripley.[LNB] Smallwood, a 20-year-old midfielder from Redcar, has made three substitute appearances this season, but tonight will be his first start in a central midfield role.[LNB] The Academy product replaces Merouane Zemmama, who drops to the bench after starting at Reading last weekend.[LNB] In one further change, Rhys Williams replace Jonathan Grounds to make his first start of the season at centre-half.[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH: Smith; McMahon, Hines, R Williams, Bennett; Robson, Bailey, Smallwood, Taylor; Lita, McDonald.[LNB] Subs: Ripley (gk), Haas, Grounds, Tavares, Kink, Zemmama, Emnes.[LNB] DERBY: Fielding; Brayford, Barker, Ayala, Roberts; Doyle, Addison, Ayala, Pearson; Robinson, Ward.[LNB] Subs: Duke (gk), Davies, Savage, Porter, Buxton, Bueno, Davies.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo