GORDON STRACHAN has recalled Emanuel Pogatetz for his first game in charge of Middlesbrough this afternoon, at the expense of young defender Joe Bennett.
Pogatetz, who has not been handed the captaincy, is expected to play left-back, while Strachan’s other big surprise is that he has dropped Didier Digard for the visit of struggling Plymouth.
Digard has been named on the bench, with Julio Arca offered an early chance to shine under the new boss at the Riverside Stadium. New signing Marcus Bent, who arrived on loan yesterday, is on the bench.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Jones; Hoyte: Wheater, St Ledger, Pogatetz; O’Neil, Arca, Williams, Johnson; Lita, Emnes. Subs: Coyne (gk), Grounds, Yeates, Bent, McMahon, Digard, Franks.
PLYMOUTH (4-4-2): Larrieu; Gray, Lowry, Arnason, Sawyer; Judge, Fletcher, Duguid, Folly; Gow, Mackie. Subs: Letheran, Paterson, Timar, Clark, Sheridan, Barnes, Mason.
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