Tavares recalled for Boro at Deepdale

MIKAEL TAVARES has been included in the middle of Middlesbrough's midfield for this afternoon's trip to Preston North End. In a game against the Championship's bottom club, Boro know that they must avoid defeat to stand any chance of dropping back into the bottom three. And manager Tony Mowbray has recalled Tavares at the heart of the midfield, with striker Scott McDonald the man to make way from the defeat at Doncaster before Christmas. PRESTON NORTH END (4-4-2): Lonergan; Jones, Brown, Morgan, De Laet; Pugh, Tonge, Russell, Barton; King, Parkin. Subs: Davidson, Coutts, Nicholson, Treacy, Parry, Arestidou (gk), McLaughlin. MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Steele; Hoyte, Bates, Wheater, Bennett; O'Neil, Tavares, Thomson, Arca; Emnes, Lita. Subs: McDonald, Boyd, Bailey, Kink, Coyne (gk), Hines, McMahon.