JULIO ARCA has been given a surprise recall to the Middlesbrough starting line-up for today's must win relegation clash with Aston Villa.
The skilful Argentine has not played since March 14 and was overlooked at the expense of Mohamed Shawky at Newcastle last Monday.
Manager Gareth Southgate, who has the pressure piling on him with two matches remaining, has also dropped left-back Andrew Taylor.
Taylor has been made one of the unfortunate fall-guys for the defeat to Newcastle, with right-back Justin Hoyte asked to fill in at right-back.
A defeat to Villa would mean certain relegation for Middlesbrough, while a point would also likely end in Championship football.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Jones; Bates, Wheater, Huth, Hoyte; Johnson, Arca, O’Neil, Downing; Tuncay, Emnes. Subs: Turnbull, Taylor, Shawky, King, McMahon, Grounds, Walker. ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel; Milner; Cuellar, Davies, Shorey; Agbonlahor, Petrov, Barry, Young; Carew, Heskey. Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Delfouneso, Knight, Reo-Coker, Gardner, Clark.
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