ALEX Bangura is making his first Middlesbrough Championship start since December, 2023, with Kim Hellberg making four changes to the starting XI for his first game in charge.

Bangura and Matt Targett come into the side for the absent Luke Ayling and Sammy Silvera, who drops to the bench. Ayling misses out through injury.

Delano Burgzorg is also recalled, while Sontje Hansen is rewarded with a start after a bright showing from the bench in the midweek defeat to Coventry.

Aidan Morris is missing having hobbled off injured against Coventry and Riley McGree drops to the bench.

David Strelec is back among the substitutes, as is young defender Archie Baptiste, 20, who joined from Tottenham in the summer.

Callum Brittain, Alfie Jones, Targett and Bangura look set to make up the defence, with

See Full Page