Middlesbrough return to action when they take on Oxford United in the Championship on Saturday.
Here are all the details you need to know about the game…
WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?
Having signed off ahead of the international break with a 5-1 home thrashing of Luton Town, Middlesbrough head out on the road this weekend when they visit the Kassam Stadium to take on Oxford.
This is Boro’s first visit to the Kassam, with the two sides not having met in a league game since the 1997-98 season.
Back then, Boro were 4-1 winners at Oxford’s former Manor Ground home thanks to goals from Emerson, Robbie Mustoe, Curtis Fleming and Paul Merson.
WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?
Saturday’s game is a traditional 3pm kick-off.
ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?
No – Boro have sold all their tickets for the away section at the Kassam Stadium for Saturday’s game. The Teessiders will be roared on by a contingent of 1,497 travelling supporters.
The travel club are running coach travel to the game, with return tickets priced at £46 for adults and £41 for Under-18s. The coaches leave the Riverside Stadium at 7.30am.
IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?
No, Saturday’s game has not been selected for live television broadcast. There is, however, a Saturday evening EFL highlights programme on both ITV and ITV4.
As the game falls in the 3pm blackout slot, there will be no domestic streaming available.
Radio commentary for the match will be available on BBC Radio Tees, and The Northern Echo’s Dominic Shaw will be at the Kassam Stadium providing a live blog, report, ratings, reaction and analysis on The Northern Echo website.
WHAT IS BORO’S LIKELY LINE-UP?
Middlesbrough are set to be without both of their first-choice central midfielders for the game against Oxford.
Aidan Morris is definitely out, as he is not due to return from the United States until Monday after suffering a knee sprain while on international duty.
Hayden Hackney was also released from international duty early, having suffered an ankle issue while with England Under-21s, and is a major doubt for the trip to the Kassam Stadium.
Having watched Delano Burgzorg and Emmanuel Latte Lath score after being restored to the starting line-up against Luton last time out, Michael Carrick will have to decide whether to keep the duo in the starting XI or restore Riley McGree and Tommy Conway to the line-up.
Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Dieng; Dijksteel, Edmundson, Clarke, Ayling; Howson, Barlaser; Doak, Azaz, McGree; Conway.
HOW ARE OXFORD SHAPING UP?
Having won promotion via the League One play-offs last season, Oxford have made a decent start to life in the Championship and currently sit in 16th position, two points clear of the bottom three.
They are especially strong at home, having lost just one of their eight league matches at the Kassam Stadium so far this term.
Us boss Des Buckingham changed shape for his side’s trip to Watford in their final match before the international break, playing with five at the back, but is expected to revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with his team back at home.
Former Boro defender Joe Bennett remains an injury absentee, along with Siriki Dembele. Cameron Brannagan and Przemyslaw Placheta returned to training during the international break, but remain doubts for Saturday’s game.
Oxford (probable, 4-2-3-1): Cumming; Avest, Moore, Long, Brown; Mizouni, Vaulks; Goodrham, Rodrigues, Leigh; Scarlett.
