Boro’s Under-21s are targeting a return to winning ways as they look to maintain their cup momentum against Hartlepool United this afternoon.
Eleven days will have felt like an eternity for Paul Jenkins’ young guns since they slipped to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, bringing their eight-game unbeaten run to a disappointing end.
With another three weeks before their next Barclays Under-21 Premier League Second Division outing, Boro’s focus now turns to cup competitions in the coming weeks.
Tuesday's final Third Development League Cup clash at Rockliffe Park sees Group C North’s two unbeaten sides lock horns, with Boro having won their two games in the group stage against Hull City and Gateshead.
Meanwhile Pools saw off Gateshead in their only match in the competition so far - meaning a home win would see Boro seize control of the group.
In the previous two cup outings Jenkins has given some of his fringe stars a chance to impress, and facing a number of first-team absentees due to the upcoming international break, a number of changes are expected again from the Gunners setback.
Bryn Morris and Bradley Fewster will definitely miss out with the influential duo having joined up with England’s Under-19s, while in-form striker Callum Cooke - who has netted three goals in his last four games - is on England Under-18s duty.
Tom McAloon (knee) and Kieran Weledji (tendonitis) remain on the sidelines while right-back Bradley Halliday faces a late fitness test.
Luke Williams (Scunthorpe), Andy Halliday (Bradford) and Charlie Wyke (Hartlepool) are all out on loan, but returning Ryan Brobbel could make his first appearance in a Boro shirt this season having spent the last three months at Victoria Park.
Emmanuel Ledesma is also in contention, along with Junior Mondal, Scott McCarthy and Mark Kitching.
The cup clash kicks off at 1pm.
Possible Boro line-up: Fryer, B Halliday, Fry, Atkinson, Bennett, Brobbel, Tinkler, McCarthy, Mondal, Ledesma, Jones.
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