MIDDLESBROUGH v BIRMINGHAM CITY - EARLY TEAM NEWS
Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor will return to the starting line-up for Saturday's Premier League trip to Middlesbrough despite the fine display of Richard Kingson in the midweek Carling Cup tie with Hereford.
The Northern Ireland number one ended a six-month exile from the team when he returned for the league win against Derby last weekend.
Bruce has no fresh injury problems and could revert to the side which triumphed 2-1 at Pride Park.
Captain Damien Johnson, Daniel de Ridder, Franck Queudrue and Rafael Schmitz are all still ruled out but have returned to training and could feature after the international break against Bolton.
Jonathan Woodgate returns to the Middlesbrough squad having been rested in midweek.
Woodgate, like midfielder Julio Arca, was left out of the side for the 1-0 Carling Cup victory over Northampton, while striker Jeremie Aliadiere missed out after being knocked unconscious during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
All three will return against Birmingham but Andrew Davies is not so fortunate and will sit out the match after suffering a head injury in the cup tie.
Teams
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Riggott, Taylor, Hines, Boateng, Arca, Rochemback, Downing, Tuncay, Cattermole, Johnson, Mido, Aliadiere.
Birmingham (from): Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Parnaby, Kapo, Muamba, Djourou, McSheffrey, Jerome, Forssell, Doyle, Kingson, Sadler, Larsson, O'Connor, Nafti, Danns, Vine.
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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