BRITT ASSOMBALONGA returns to Middlesbrough's starting line-up as they take on Derby County at Pride Park.

Assombalonga replaces Patrick Bamford, who is unavailable after sustaining a head injury in last weekend's home win over Bristol City.

Boro's record signing will be making his first league start since February, having come off the bench to score the Teessiders' equaliser at Burton Albion earlier this month.

Tony Pulis has made just the one change from last weekend, with Grant Leadbitter only named on the substitutes' bench as he returns from suspension.

That means Adam Clayton continuing at the base of midfield, with Jonny Howson and Mo Besic playing in front of him.

Derby have named former Boro striker David Nugent in their starting line-up as they look to force their way back above Boro into the Championship play-off positions.

DERBY (4-4-2): Carson; Wisdom, Keogh, Davies, Forsyth; Lawrence, Johnson, Huddlestone, Olsson; Vydra, Nugent.

Subs: Roos (gk), Palmer, Pearce, Weimann, Hanson, Ledley, Jerome.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-1-4-1): Randolph;  Shotton, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton; Traore, Besic, Howson, Downing; Assombalonga.

Subs: Konstantopoulos (gk), Fabio, Cranie, Fry, Leadbitter,  Harrison, Johnson.