Middlesbrough face a huge promotion clash in the Championship on Friday evening against Hull City with both clubs knowing that a victory would at least temporarily take them back into the automatic promotion places.
Boro Manager Aitor Karanka is expected to receive a warm reception from the club’s fans on his return to the dugout after resolving his differences with the club and agreeing to remain at The Riverside Stadium.
The home side go into the match without key defender Daniel Ayala who has a hamstring injury but midfielder Grant Leadbitter could return
Hull City arrive on Teesside with the club set to be without midfield trio David Meyler (illness), Nick Powell (hamstring) and Shaun Maloney (ankle). Tigers boss Steve Bruce could welcome back one midfielder though in the form of the influential Jake Livermore.
Middlesbrough have an excellent record at The Riverside Stadium against Hull City with the Teessiders having lost just one of their last 17 home matches with The Tigers. Boro’s recent record against Hull City is less impressive with the club having lost their last three matches against City without scoring.
Goals from Mo Diame, Sam Clucas and Tom Huddlestone sent Boro crashing to a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at The KC Stadium back in early November and the club will be looking for revenge when they meet again on Friday evening.
