Middlesbrough will be looking to get back to winning ways when they return to action after the international break on Friday afternoon.
Michael Carrick‘s side saw their run of three straight wins brought to an end last time out. That came when they were held to a goalless draw by Blackburn Rovers.
As a result, they are now 10th in the Championship table, seven points adrift of the play-off places.
They will of course, therefore need to be almost perfect if they are to have a hope of securing a top six spot between now and the end of the season.
Next up for Middlesbrough, is a trip to St Mary’s to face Southampton on Friday. The Saints go into this one 4th in the standings.
They will still have eyes on claiming an automatic promotion spot between now and the end of the season.
As a result, this may be something of a tough next assignment for ‘Boro.
Latest Middlesbrough team news
Carrick has been dealt some further blows during the international break. Marcus Forss was forced off early on in the draw with Blackburn Rovers. That meant the 24-year-old did not join up with Finland during the international break.
The striker is not expected to be fit for Friday’s game either, and nor is attacking midfielder Riley McGree, who was forced off early on in Australia’s World Cup qualifier against Lebanon last week.
Carrick has also confirmed that he does not expect any of Middlesbrough’s longer-term absentees to return for this one either.
The likes of Hayden Hackney, Dael Fry, Alex Bangura, Rav van den Berg, Josh Coburn, Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith may also miss out on the trip to the south coast.
How could Michael Carrick line up vs Southampton
The number of injuries he has will make things tough for Carrick, but he could still put a solid starting XI out here.
In goal, Seny Dieng should keep his spot as first choice between the posts. With Senegal playing in France over the international break, the goalkeeper has not had far to travel recently.
A back five has worked well for Middlesbrough recently, so may be the system Carrick sticks with here.
If van den Berg does not return from the knock that kept him out of their last match, Luke Ayling could again fill in at centre back. He would likely partner Paddy McNair and Matt Clarke in that role.
Isaiah Jones made a solid return from injury at full-back last time out. He may therefore be in line to start on the right, with Lukas Engel again operating on the left.
In midfield, Jonny Howson and Lewis O’Brien look to have established themselves as the first choice pairing right now.
With McGree likely to be out, Sam Greenwood may be given another chance to show what he can do in the number ten role.
Having come off the bench to replace Forss against Blackburn Rovers, Finn Azaz may now be in contention to lead the line from the start for Middlesbrough here.
He should be fresh after getting just a few minutes during his first senior international call up for Ireland during the break. Emmanuel Latte Latch then looks the obvious candidate to partner him at centre forward.
Here’s how we think Middlesbrough could line up against Southampton on Friday:
Dieng (GK)
Engel
Clarke
McNair
Ayling
Jones
O’Brien
Howson
Greenwood
Azaz
Latte Lath
