Middlesbrough vs Bournemouth team news and line-ups: Grant Leadbitter named on Boro bench

MIDDLESBROUGH host Bournemouth as Aitor Karanka’s side look to build on their resilient point against Arsenal – and have almost a clean bill of health.

Boro kept a fine clean sheet at the Emirates but will be tested by Eddie Howe’s attacking team who have eight goals in the last three games.

Reuters

But both sides comes into the game on the back of 0-0 draws and will be hoping for all three this time round.

Club captain Grant Leadbitter, who has not played this season, is named on the bench since hernia surgery in the summer. There are two further changes for Boro this afternoon as Calum Chambers comes in for Daniel Ayala and Stewart Downing in place of the injured Martin De Roon.

Andrew Surman steps in for Bournemouth, as Dan Gosling drops to the bench.

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Line-ups

Form guide

Middlesbrough: LLDLD

Bournemouth: LWDWD

What they said

Aitor Karanka: "Every single team is different, and again this will be completely different game.

“They are a team we played two seasons ago, and I like Eddie Howe and their team a lot. It will be a good test.

“We’ve been in the Premier League for just one of two months and the best way of adding experience is playing games and adding points on the table.

“It’s the only way that we won promotion, going together, and it is the only way we can stay in the Premier League.

“As a club, as a crowd, as players and staff – we are Middlesbrough and we have to fight together.”