Johnson back in Boro side to face Blackpool

ADAM Johnson is back in Middlesbrough's starting line-up for this evening's Championship game with Blackpool. Johnson missed Saturday's 5-1 romp at QPR because of a family illness, but returned to training yesterday. Strachan has restored him to the starting XI in place of Mark Yeates, who is unfortunate to be dropped after his impressive display at Loftus Road. Johnson's return represents the only change to the side that earned Strachan's first victory as a Boro boss at the weekend. MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Jones; R Williams, St Ledger, Wheater, Pogatetz; Arca, O'Neil, Osbourne, Johnson; Lita, Kitson. Subs: Coyne (gk), Hoyte, McMahon, Digard, Yeates, Emnes, L Williams. BLACKPOOL (4-4-2): Rachubka; Baptiste, Edwards, Evatt, Crainey; Bannan, Adam, Southern, Vaughan; Ormerod, Taylor-Fletcher. Subs: Gilks (gk), Eardley, Martin, Bouazza, Euell, Bangura, Demontagnac.

Source: Northern_Echo