, Forgotten Middlesbrough man set for first start of the season against Nottingham Forest

Forgotten Middlesbrough man set for first start of the season against Nottingham Forest

Middlesbrough’s 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon was a huge weight off fans, players and the managers shoulders, lifting them to 19th in the table.

But Middlesbrough’s victory was somewhat marred by the injury to star striker and top goalscorer Britt Assombalonga.

The forward has started all but one League game so far this season, and having picked up an ankle injury on Saturday, he looks set to miss Boro’s visit to Nottingham Forest in midweek.

According to The Northern Echo, Rudy Gestede could be given the nod in Assombalonga’s absence, and if he was to start at The City Ground, it would be his first start in the Championship in over a year. His last start was against Preston North End in a 1-1 draw back in November 2018.

The report also suggests that Head Coach Jonathan Woodgate could opt for 19-year old Stephen Walker, who has been a substitute for the majority of the campaign so far, and has featured in five games since making his debut in August against Blackburn Rovers.

Ashley Fletcher is likely to keep his place up front, and it will be a big decision whether the Boro boss opts for youth or experience alongside him.

Providing an update on the fitness of Assombalonga, Woodgate said: “He’s on crutches so when it rains, it pours.

“It’s thunder and lightning, it’s everything. I think that’s a new injury, which is not good.”

The Middlesbrough number nine could miss a jam packed December schedule, with difficult fixtures against the top six sides Nottingham Forest and West Brom, as well as games against Stoke and Huddersfield who sit in and around Boro in the table.

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