IN AN attempt to avoid a fourth successive home defeat at the Riverside Stadium, manager Gareth Southgate has dropped Tony McMahon and Mark Yeates.
McMahon and Yeates are the two fall-guys following Saturday's defeat to Watford, with right-back Justin Hoyte and midfielder Rhys Williams coming in to face Derby County.
With plenty of empty seats on a rain-sodden night, Southgate knows the importance of a turnaround in form on home soil and so does chairman Steve Gibson.
Derby, without an away win this season, include Rob Hulse up front after he turned down a move to the North-East on summer transfer deadline day.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Jones; Hoyte, Wheater, St Ledger, Bennett; O’Neil, Digard, Williams, Johnson; Lita, Aliadiere. Subs: Coyne (gk), Pogatetz, Yeates, Emnes, Walker, Grounds, McMahon.
DERBY COUNTY (4-4-2): Bywater; Connolly, Barker, Leacock, Moxey; Teale, Savage, Livermore, McEveley; Hulse, Commons. Subs: Deeney (gk), Croft, Buxton, Dickov, Hendrie, Mills.
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