DIEGO FABBRINI returns to Middlesbrough's starting line-up for this afternoon's Championship game at Sheffield Wednesday.

Aitor Karanka has made four changes to the side that started Boro's last league game against Bristol City, with Fabbrini returning after coming off the bench in the midweek League Cup win over Burton Albion.

Kike will line up as a lone striker at Hillsborough, with Fabbrini, Adam Reach and Stewart Downing playing behind him in an attacking midfield trio.

Ben Gibson will partner Daniel Ayala at centre-half, with Emilio Nsue and George Friend lining up in the full-back positions.

Michael Agazzi will be Boro's replacement goalkeeper after he received his international clearance to confirm a loan move from AC Milan earlier this morning.

Surprisingly, Sheffield Wednesday striker Atdhe Nuhui, who has scored in each of his last three games against Middlesbrough, is only on the substitutes' bench.

SHEFF WED (4-5-1): Price; Hunt, Sasso, Lees, Wiggins; Hutchinson, Lopez, Lee, Wallace, Matias; Joao.

Subs: Wildsmith, Palmer, Turner, Semedo, Nuhui, McGugan, Sougou.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Nsue, Gibson, Ayala, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton; Downing, Fabbrini, Reach; Kike.

Subs: Mejias, Stephens, Stuani, Kalas, Forshaw, Woodgate, Nugent.