MIDDLESBROUGH are missing a full team of senior players at Southampton, with Boro's defence ravaged by injuries after further setbacks.

Rav van den Berg is again missing for Boro at St Mary's and Paddy McNair has also been ruled out with a knock. Darragh Lenihan, Dael Fry, Tommy Smith and Alex Bangura all remain sidelined - meaning Carrick has been forced to name a makeshift backline.

Tom Glover is also missing at Southampton due to illness, while, as expected, Marcus Forss and Riley McGree both miss out. Hayden Hackney and Josh Coburn are also still absent.

It means Carrick has made three changes for today's game, with Dan Barlaser, Finn Azaz and Sam Greenwood coming into the team.

Dieng starts in goal, with Jonny Howson expected to play in a back three alongside Luke Ayling and Matt Clarke. Isaiah Jones and Lukas Engel will play wing-back, with Barlaser and Lewis O'Brien in midfield.

Azaz and Greenwood are playing off Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Boro: Dieng, Jones, Howson, Ayling, Clarke, Engel, Barlaser, O'Brien, Greenwood, Azaz, Latte Lath

Subs: Jones, Gilbert, Dijksteel, Silvera, Thomas, Willis, Lennon, McCabe, Woolston

Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Downes, Armstrong, Adams, Bree, Smallbone, Stuart Armstrong, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Harwood-Bellis

Subs: Lumley, Manning, Aribo, Mara, Rothwell, Edozie, Fraser, Bednarek, Brooks