THERE is a Gareth Southgate feel about the Middlesbrough team at Preston this afternoon, the first match of the post-Southgate era.

Colin Cooper, who has stepped into the caretaker role, has made just one change to the team that defeated Derby in midweek, and that is forced.

With Jeremie Aliadiere ruled out with a foot injury, which threatens to keep him out for at least a month, Dutchman Marvin Emnes slots in up front alongside Leroy Lita.

Sean St Ledger, on loan from Preston, starts against his main employers, as the Middlesbrough players look to impress Garry Pendry.

Pendry, likely to be introduced as the club's No 2 if Gordon Strachan is confirmed as Southgate's successor on Monday, is expected to witness the match from the Deepdale stands.

PRESTON (4-4-2): Lonergan; Shumulikoski, Collins, Chilvers, Wallace; Parry, Jones, Carter, Nolan; Parkin, Mellor. Subs: Hart, Chaplow, Mawene, Sedgwick, Brown, Henderson (gk), Elliott. MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Jones; Hoyte, Wheater, St Ledger, Bennett 7; O’Neil, Digard, Williams, Johnson; Lita, Emnes. Subs: Coyne (gk), Pogatetz, Yeates, Grounds, McMahon, Franks, Arca.