MICHAEL CARRICK has named an extremely strong Middlesbrough side for this afternoon's FA Cup third-round game with Brighton.

Carrick has only made one change to the team that kicked off the 3-1 win at Birmingham in Boro's last league game.

Paddy McNair returns to the side at centre-half, with Darragh Lenihan dropping out of the squad.

McNair will partner Dael Fry at the heart of the back four, with Carrick sticking with Tommy SMith and Ryan Giles in the full-back positions.

Cameron Archer features amongst the substitutes, having joined Boro on a season-long loan from Aston Villa yesterday.

There is also a place on the substitutes' bench for academy defender George Gitau.

Brighton have also named a strong team, with boss Roberto de Zerbi making four changes from the team that beat Everton in midweek.

Former Boro goalkeeper Jason Steele starts in goal for the Seagulls.


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-1-1): Steffen; Smith, Fry, McNair, Giles; Forss, Hackney, Howson, McGree; Akpom; Crooks.

Subs: Roberts, Jones, Mowatt, Muniz, Archer, Hoppe, Watmore, Bola, Gitau.

BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Steele; Lamptey, Colwill, van Hecke, Estupinan; Caicedo, Lallana; March, Gross, Mitoma; Ferguson.

Subs: McGill, Webster, Mac Allister, Welbeck, Sarmiento, Enciso, Undav, Gilmour, Veltman.