Middlesbrough name surprise striker as Hjelde makes Sunderland debut

Boro boss Michael Carrick has made three changes to the side that lined up for Boro's last game, which was the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg defeat at Chelsea.

Luke Ayling returns to the back four, having been cup-tied for the League Cup game, and will line up at right-back, with Rav van den Berg moving across to partner Dael Fry at centre-half.

With Josh Coburn and Emmanuel Latte Lath both unable to start because of injury - Coburn is on the bench - Sunderland-born Greenwood is expected to line-up as Boro's central striker, with January signing Finn Azaz and a fit-again Marcus Forss playing on either side of him.

Sammy Silvera is on the bench having returned from Australia's unsuccessful Asian Cup campaign - there is no place for Riley McGree - with January signing Luke Thomas also named amongst the substitutes.

Sunderland head coach Michael Beale has made one change to the team that started his side's most recent game against Stoke City, with Hjelde coming on for his debut.

The defender, who signed from Leeds United in the final week of the transfer window, will start at left-back, with Trai Hume moving across to replace Jenson Seelt on the opposite flank.

Patrick Roberts returns from injury to take a place on the substitutes' bench, alongside deadline-day Romaine Mundle.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3): Glover; Ayling, van den Berg, Fry, Engel; Barlaser, Howson, Hackney; Forss, Greenwood, Azaz.

Subs: J Jones, Clarke, Gilbert, Dijskteel, McNair, Silvera, Coburn, O'Brien, Thomas.

SUNDERLAND (4-1-4-1): Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Ballard, Hjelde; Neil; Ba, Ekwah, Bellingham, Clarke; Burstow.

Subs: Bishop, Pembele, Hemir, Roberts, Mundle, Rusyn, Seelt, Aouchiche, Kelly.