BARRY Robson returns to the Middlesbrough side for this afternoon's Championship home game with Brighton.

The Scottish midfielder has missed the last two matches with a thigh strain, but has been passed fit for today's game.

He replaces Faris Haroun, who drops down to the substitutes' bench.

Boro boss Tony Mowbray has made two changes to the side that won at Bristol City last weekend, with Merouane Zemmama returning to the midfield in place of Justin Hoyte.

As a result, Boro revert to a 4-4-2 formation with Tony McMahon and Joe Bennett filling the full-back berths.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Steele; McMahon, Bates, R Williams, Bennett; Robson, Bailey, Arca, Zemmama; McDonald, Emnes.

Subs: Hoyte, Haroun, Martin, Thomson, Ogbeche.

BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Ankergren, Greer, Dunk, Jara, Taricco; Bridcutt, Vincelot; LuaLua, Sparrow, Noone; Mackail-Smith.

Subs: Brezovan (gk), El-Abd, Barnes, Buckley, Paynter.