Middlesbrough return to pre-season action when they take on Gateshead on Wednesday.
Here are all the details you need to know about the game…
WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?
While Middlesbrough’s first domestic pre-season friendly took place at a neutral ground on Saturday, with Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park staging a 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers, Wednesday’s game is a home match for Gateshead.
As a result, the game will be staged at the Heed’s International Stadium, the ground that resulted in them being barred from competing in last season’s National League play-offs.
With Gateshead’s tenancy at the stadium not meeting National League rules, Gateshead were prevented from playing in the play-offs even though they finished the season in sixth position.
WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?
Wednesday’s game kicks off at 7.30pm.
ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?
Yes – tickets for the game are still available via the away ticketing section of Middlesbrough’s official website. Fans can also pay by cash or card at the International Stadium on the night of the game.
Tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for Under-17s.
IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?
No – there is no television coverage of Wednesday’s friendly and the match is not being streamed either.
There is no radio coverage of the game, so the best place to follow what is happening is here at The Northern Echo website. Dominic Shaw will be at the International Stadium producing a live blog, report, reaction and analysis on The Northern Echo’s website.
WHAT IS MIDDLESBROUGH’S LIKELY LINE-UP?
Michael Carrick used 22 different players in the weekend win over Bolton, and there is likely to be plenty of rotation again at Gateshead.
The nine players that came on for the final 30 minutes of Saturday’s victory could well feature in the starting line-up at the International Stadium, before Carrick makes a number of changes during the second half.
Zach Hemming, who was a half-time substitute against Gateshead, will be absent as he has joined League One side Leyton Orient on a season-long loan.
Sol Brynn could be back in the squad though, after missing the win over Bolton with a minor injury issue, while Darragh Lenihan could also feature as he steps up his own recovery from injury.
Tommy Smith and Marcus Forss are expected to miss the start of the season, along with Alex Bangura, who suffered an injury during last week’s training camp in Portugal.
HOW ARE GATESHEAD LOOKING?
Gateshead have already claimed one notable pre-season scalp as they beat Sunderland 2-1 at the International Stadium earlier this month.
Rob Elliot’s side continued their fine form in their most recent friendly last Friday, thrashing Northern Premier League side Blyth Spartans 7-0.
Owen Oseni and Will McGowan have caught the eye for Gateshead in pre-season so far, scoring five and four goals respectively.
Gateshead are also likely to feature two Boro academy graduates in their squad – Fenton John, who only left the Riverside earlier this summer, and Robbie Tinkler.
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