JibrinMiddlesbrough ‘expected’ to start 27-year-old against Leicester City, report suggests
Middlesbrough are having to carefully manage the player’s minutes as they chase down promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.
Middlesbrough are ‘expected’ to start a 27-year-old midfielder against Leicester City as they continue to manage his minutes, as per a report by TeesideLive.
Middlesbrough can’t play the midfielder for 90 minutes following his recent recovery from injury. Therefore, he has been limited to just cameo appearances for Boro right now which isn’t ideal as they chase down promotion from the Championship.
Hellberg‘s men are sat in 2nd place in the table behind Coventry City. They are placed above Millwall, Ipswich Town, Hull City and Wrexham in the play-offs.
In this latest fitness update regarding the Australian international, Hellberg has said, as per a report by TeesideLive: “Riley I would put up every game 90 minutes if that was possible, but it’s not. Riley is brilliant, I would like to have three of Riley and then playing him all the time, but that’s not always possible.
“He’s coming back from injury which means that you have to manage it. That’s what it is. I wish it wasn’t, but it is what it is. You need to try, with players coming back from injury, to protect them a little bit from that.”
Middlesbrough drew 0-0 at home against Oxford United last time out. They weren’t able to break down the U’s and had to settle for a frustrating point.
Middlesbrough man selection latest
Middlesbrough will want to get their star man fully up to speed as soon as possible. Riley McGree is an important player for Boro in the middle of the park.
He injects valuable quality into their midfield department. The Australia international, who has 31 caps to his name, battles it out with the likes of Hayden Hackney, Aidan Morris and Alan Browne for a place in their starting XI.
McGree was snapped up by his current club back in 2022 after a couple of loan spells at Birmingham City. He has since made 113 appearances in all competitions, 14 of which have come this season, and he has chipped in with 19 goals.
He started his career at Adelaide United before leaving Down Under for Club Brugge in 2017 as a youngster. The South Australia-born man ended up returning home for temporary stints with Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City.
Will Middlesbrough start Riley McGree against Leicester City?
Middlesbrough rested the 27-year-old from the start against Oxford United before he came off the bench. Therefore, he should be fresh to get the nod from the off against Leicester City for Boro.
The Foxes have recently turned to ex-Derby County, Birmingham City and Millwall man Gary Rowett as their new head coach following his exit from Oxford United. They are in the drop zone but drew 2-2 with Stoke City on their travels in their last outing.
Hellberg’s men will need to be at their best to get something from the game. Their upcoming opponents have some dangerous players at their disposal, especially winger Abdul Fatawu.
Middlesbrough will fancy their chances against anyone on their day though and are 2nd in the division for a reason as they hunt down Coventry City at the summit. They will be frustrated that they weren’t able to find a winner against Oxford United in their last game and will be fired up to get a result against Leicester City.
Jibrin
