Whites manager Daniel Farke and Boro boss Michael Carrick both held their pre-match press conferences on Friday ahead of Monday night’s huge Championship fixture at the Riverside. Leeds will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s first home league defeat of the season against Blackburn Rovers which left the Whites in third-place with just three games left ahead of Monday night’s trip to Middlesbrough.
Boro, though, did Leeds a favour last weekend by holding key title rivals Ipswich Town to a 1-1 draw at Portman Road, but for which the Tractor Boys could have been further clear in first place. Boro also held Ipswich amid a stack of injuries and Leeds have their problems too including a fresh setback. Here, we run through the confirmed team news from both camps ahead of Monday night’s 8pm kick-off for which more than a full team are out.
13. Tom Glover (out)
Back-up Boro keeper Glover was missing from the matchday squad for last weekend's draw at Ipswich due to a finger problem. A decision has now reportedly been taken for Glover to have a small operation, consequently ending his season. Photo: Alex Pantling
14. Paddy McNair (back)
Experienced Boro centre-back McNair returned from a back problem at the start of the year but then suffered a hamstring injury on international duty with Northern Ireland and has missed the last five matchday squads. However, Boro boss Carrick revealed at Friday's pre-match press conference that McNair was now back training with the group. Photo: George Wood
15. Alex Bangura (back)
Boro's Sierra Leone international winger Bangura has not played since January due to a hamstring injury but has been back on the bench for his side's last two matches. Carrick confirmed at Friday's pre-match press conference that Bangura is back as an option for his side. Photo: Clive Brunskill
16. Rav van den Berg (back)
Boro's Netherlands youth international defender van den Berg recently missed three consecutive games due to a knee injury but came through the full duration of his side's last two games against Hull City and Ipswich. Photo: George Wood
17. Jamie Shackleton (major doubt)
Shackleton has not returned to team training following his adductor strain but that return is scheduled for this weekend and Farke expects him to be available quickly. That said, clearly a huge doubt for the clash at Boro. Photo: Jess Hornby