Tony Pulis set to ring changes for Middlesbrough against Notts County

Posted Monday, August 13, 2018 by PA

Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis is likely to make wholesale changes for Tuesday night’s EFL Cup clash with League Two Notts County.

Pulis fielded an unchanged team in Saturday’s 1-0 Sky Bet Championship victory over Birmingham, but is likely to rest many of his bigger names after a run of three games in eight days at the start of the season.

Dimi Konstantopoulos, Grant Leadbitter, Paddy McNair, Marvin Johnson, Marcus Tavernier, Harry Chapman and Ashley Fletcher are among those who could feature, while defender Nathan Wood would become the youngest player to play a competitive game for the club at the age of 16 years and 75 days if he got the nod.

Loan signing Jordan Hugill is still working his way towards full match fitness and the game could come too soon for defender Daniel Ayala following his return to training after injury, while striker Rudy Gestede is still out.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan will hand midfielder Andy Kellett a first start for the club at the Riverside Stadium.

The 24-year-old, who joined the club this summer after being released by Wigan, belatedly made his debut as a late substitute in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Cambridge after recovering from a calf problem.

Nolan is also likely to make a series of changes after fielding the same starting XI in the club’s opening two league games and ahead of Friday evening’s home clash with Yeovil.

The Magpies, who drew 0-0 at home to Colchester in their opening game, went down to Barry Corr’s late strike at Cambridge as defensive errors cost them dearly.