Middlesbrough face League One side Burton Albion in the Quarter final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, with the guarantee of playing Premier League opposition if they progress.
Middlesbrough striker Martin Braithwaite has been subject to speculation surrounding his future this week, with the Dane reportedly interesting Championship rivals Swansea City.
Braithwaite has not started a league game for Boro in a month, and has not scored a goal since August. He has been left out of the squad entirely for three of the last four games and is now rumoured to want to leave the club.
This isn’t the first time the 27-year old has wanted to leave the club, after interest from Spain turned his head in the summer. However, he stayed on Teesside, but his performances haven’t been up to scratch of late.
Despite this, Boro boss Tony Pulis has confirmed that Braithwaite will play a part in the Quarter final clash against Burton Albion on Tuesday, but didn’t say whether he would start the game or would be a substitute.
When asked about the situation surrounding Braithwaite in an interview with BBC Tees after Saturday’s defeat against Queens Park Rangers, Pulis said “He’ll be involved on Tuesday or whatever.”
“I’ll pick the team the way I want to pick the team”, he added.
Refusing to be drawn in on details, Pulis’ assessment of the situation spoke volumes, and it is looking increasingly likely that the forward could be on his way out of the Riverside as early as the January transfer window.
