Middlesbrough vs Brentford preview - Abella blow for Boro

Posted Friday, September 19, 2014 by PA

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka will be without defender Damia Abella for the Sky Bet Championship clash with Brentford.

The Spaniard was carried from the field on a stretcher after suffering a knee injury during Tuesday night's 1-0 win at Cardiff, and scans have indicated he will be sidelined for months rather than weeks.

He will be joined on the sidelines by compatriot Daniel Ayala, who collected his fifth booking of the campaign at the Cardiff City Stadium, while goalkeeper Tomas Mejias will miss out with a back problem. However, Jonathan Woodgate is likely to be included in the squad after returning to the bench last weekend following a hamstring injury.

Long-term absentees Rhys Williams (Achilles) and Muzzy Carayol (cruciate) continue to work their way back to fitness but remain some time away from returning.

Brentford have no new injury worries but are still without Scott Hogan and Sam Saunders.

Striker Hogan has undergone an operation to fix his cruciate ligament and is now embarking on the long road back to fitness, while winger Saunders has yet to play this season due to a knee injury.

New signing Betinho, brought in on loan from Sporting Lisbon to replace Hogan, made his debut as a late substitute against Norwich in midweek after finally receiving international clearance and should be involved again.

Skipper Tony Craig is pushing for a recall at the back and could come in for James Tarkowski, whose error gifted Norwich their first goal in Brentford's 3-0 defeat.