DONE DAEL: So surprising, striker from Middlesbrough makes his debut while.
Surprise striker Hjelde makes his Sunderland debut while Middlesbrough names
In today’s Tees-Wear derby, Sam Greenwood will start as Middlesbrough’s primary striker, while Leo Hjelde will make his Sunderland debut at the Riverside.
Michael Carrick, the manager of Boro, has made three changes to the starting lineup from the team that played in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg loss at Chelsea.
After being cup-tied for the League Cup match, Luke Ayling is back in the starting lineup. Rav van den Berg will go over to partner Dael Fry at center-half.
The injuries that have kept Josh Coburn and Emmanuel Latte Lath from starting have left Sunderland native Greenwood on the bench. Finn Azaz, a January addition, and a healthy-again Marcus Forss will line up on either side of Sunderland native Greenwood as the team’s central striker.
After Australia’s disappointing Asian Cup campaign, Sammy Silvera is on the bench; Riley McGree is not included in the lineup. Luke Thomas, a January signing, is also listed among the substitutes.
Hjelde made his debut as a substitute in Sunderland head coach Michael Beale’s lineup from the team that began their most recent match against Stoke City.
In the last week of the transfer window, the defender signed from Leeds United. Trai Hume will start at left-back, replacing Jenson Seelt on the other wing.
On deadline day, Romaine Mundle will be replaced on the replacements’ bench by Patrick Roberts, who is back from injury.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3): Barlaser, Howson, Hackney; Forss, Greenwood, Azaz; Glover; Ayling, van den Berg, Fry, Engel.
J. Jones, Clarke, Dijskteel, McNair, Silvera, Coburn, O’Brien, Thomas, and Gilbert are the substitutes.
SUNDERLAND (4-1-4-1): Neil; Ba, Ekwah, Bellingham, Clarke; Burstow; Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Hjelde; Neil.
