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Team News
Middlesbrough
Ben Gibson will miss this one after being sent off for two bookable offences in Boro’s last outing, against Leeds United. George Friend who scored the crucial own goal against Cardiff earlier in the season will miss out with a broken shoulder-blade while Daniel Ayala should return following an ankle injury.
Defender Damia Abella and experienced midfielder Alex Baptiste are both nearing returns following serious injuries earlier in the season but neither are expected to return as soon as this fixture. Record signing Jordan Rhodes is set to start in the front-line.
Cardiff City
The Bluebirds will be without vice-captain Sean Morrison who remains out until the weekend or possibly the following fixture, he returned to contact training with the development side late last week.
Idriss Saadi has returned to the squad following a long lay-off with a hamstring tear and will be available for selection, the former Clermont-Foot striker was an unused substitute last time out.
Craig Noone is expected to miss this one after a fracture on his ribs more than a fortnight ago, the winger is expected to return on the weekend at the earliest.
Sammy Ameobi could play against the club where he spent the 2012/13 season on loan and returns from his one-match suspension. Fabio limped off in the Bluebirds’ last outing and could miss this one.
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Defender Ben Gibson and midfielder Adam Clayton are both missing through suspension for Middlesbrough.
However, Daniel Ayala and George Friend are both back from injury and could make themselves available despite a lack of match fitness.
Cardiff striker Sammy Ameobi returns from suspension but could face competition from the free-scoring Peter Whittingham and Lex Immers.
At the back, Sean Morrison is looking for a recall after a knee injury.