Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan hands three Boro debuts out
FOUR of Middlesbrough's five summer signings have been handed starting roles in tonight's friendly with Athlone Town.[LNB] Kevin Thomson and Kris Boyd, both signed from Rangers, will feature from the start, as will Nicky Bailey, who made a £1.4m switch from Charlton.[LNB] Stephen McManus, who ended last season on loan on Teesside before making the move permanent last week, has also been included in the middle of the defence.[LNB] There is no Andy Halliday, who moved from Livingston at the start of the summer, and he has remained in the North-East with a groin problem.[LNB] Andrew Taylor, Barry Robson, Julio Arca and David Wheater are also sitting the match out, although they are in the stands at the Lissywoollen venue.[LNB] BORO: Jones; Hoyte, Bates, McManus, Bennett; Flood, O'Neil, Thomson, Bailey; McDonald, Boyd. Subs: Coyne; Steele, Grounds, Williams, Miller, Lita.[LNB] ATHLONE: Schlingermann; Colbert, Moran, McCarthy, O'Shea; Ryan, Hughes, Collins, Fitzgerald; McEvoy, O'Brien. Subs: O'Hanlon, Skelly, Williamson, Hope, O'Riordan, Marshall, Browne, Scullion, Lownes, Nolan.[LNB]
