Bolton vs Middlesbrough preview - Same again for Boro

Posted Monday, August 18, 2014 by PA

Dean Moxey faces a late fitness test before Bolton welcome Middlesbrough to the Macron Stadium.

The left-back's foot problem has restricted him to just one appearance in his Wanderers' career to date but, after training on Monday, manager Dougie Freedman is optimistic over his availability.

Mark Davies has been ruled out, however. Freedman has pencilled in next week's Capital One Cup clash with Crewe as a possible date for his return to first-team action.

Defender Marc Tierney (broken leg) is still out so, should Moxey be missing once again, last year's player of the year Tim Ream will fill in on the left side of the back four.

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has no fresh injury problems.

New signing Damia Abella came through Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Leeds unscathed despite going into the game with little pre-season football under his belt following his release by Spanish club Osasuna.

Fellow defender Ben Gibson, who sat out at Elland Road with a hamstring injury, will be missing once again, but could be available for the weekend.

Karanka has three long-term absentees with striker Emmanuel Ledesma (foot), defender Rhys Williams (Achilles) and midfielder Muzzy Carayol (cruciate ligament) working their way back to fitness.