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. 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. 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. 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. 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. BORO: Jones; Hoyte, Bates, McManus, Bennett; Flood, O'Neil, Thomson, Bailey; McDonald, Boyd. Subs: Coyne; Steele, Grounds, Williams, Miller, Lita. 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.

Source: Northern_Echo