Middlesbrough vs Fulham preview - Banned duo back for Boro
Posted Friday, October 03, 2014 by PA
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka will welcome back midfielders Dean Whitehead and Albert Adomah from suspension for Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Fulham.
Both men missed the 1-1 draw with Blackpool on Tuesday evening with Whitehead completing a three-match ban and Adomah sitting out after being sent off for two bookable offences in the 0-0 draw at Charlton last weekend.
Karanka should also have midfielders Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton available after Leadbitter had stitches put into a head wound in midweek and Clayton had to leave the field through illness.
However, central defender Jonathan Woodgate, who has made just one senior appearance all season, will be missing once again with a thigh problem.
Shaun Hutchinson returns from suspension for Fulham but faces a battle to win his place back in the starting line-up.
The defender has served a three-match ban following his red card against Blackburn last month, but Fulham have won all three games in his absence including Wednesday night's thumping 4-0 victory over Bolton.
Caretaker boss Kit Symons is set to stick with that side, meaning deadline-day signing Matt Smith will have to settle for a place on the bench again following his recent return from suspension.
Fellow striker Adam Taggart is still out with a back problem while winger Ryan Williams has joined Barnsley on a one-month loan deal.
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