MARLON King will make his Middlesbrough debut at Chelsea this evening after Gareth Southgate named a surprise starting line-up at Stamford Bridge.

King, who has joined on loan from Wigan until the end of the season, will line up as a lone striker with both Afonso Alves and Tuncay Sanli consigned to the bench.

Boro will field a five-man midfield, with Matthew Bates and Mohamed Shawky providing the defensive platform for Gary O'Neil to support King. Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson will line up on the left and right flank respectively.

Tony McMahon has received the nod ahead of Justin Hoyte at right-back, with Chris Riggott partnering David Wheater at the heart of the back four, and skipper Emanuel Pogatetz returning at left-back.

As expected, Ross Turnbull replaces Brad Jones in goal from the side that won at Wolves on Saturday.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has left Didier Drogba on the bench, but Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and John Terry all feature in a strong Blues XI.

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Cole, Lampard, Mikel, Ballack, Kalou, Anelka, Malouda.

Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Drogba, Ferreira, Deco, Mancienne, Stoch.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-5-1): Turnbull, McMahon, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, A Johnson, Bates, Shawky, O'Neil, Downing, King.

Subs: Jones, Hoyte, Emnes, Alves, Huth, Tuncay, Arca.

** READ A FULL REPORT AND ANALYSIS FROM TONIGHT'S GAME IN TOMORROW'S NORTHERN ECHO **