MIDDLESBROUGH have been dealt an injury blow ahead of today's game against Blackburn Rovers, with Rav van den Berg missing out.

The Dutchman is replaced in the starting XI by Isaiah Jones in the only change from the midweek win over Birmingham City.

It's not clear whether that means Michael Carrick will stick to a back three or move back to a flat back four.

If he sticks with the three - a system that's worked well in the last three games - Luke Ayling looks likely to move inside, with Isaiah Jones playing at right wing-back.

If he moved back to a flat back four, Jones, Marcus Forss and Riley McGree would play off Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Boro say van den Berg, who has been in fine form in recent weeks, has a "knock" - which suggests it's nothing to worry about in the long term.

Youngster Sonny Finch is on the bench for the first time this season having returned from injury.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Dieng, Jones, Ayling, McNair, Clarke, Engel, Howson, O'Brien, Forss, McGree, Latte Lath

Subs: Glover, Barlaser, Gilbert, Dijksteel, Silvera, Azaz, Greenwood, Thomas, Finch.

BLACKBURN: Pears, Brittain, Hyam, Wharton, Pickering, Tronstad, Buckley, Hedges, Szmodics, Sigurdsson, Gallagher

Subs: Wahlstedt, Koumetio, Chrisene, Garrett, Ayari, Moran, Dolan, Markanday, Telalovic