McDonald back for Boro - but Williamson misses out for Newcastle (From The Northern Echo)

McDonald back for Boro - but Williamson misses out for Newcastle

2:43pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in

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SCOTT McDonald returns to Middlesbrough's starting line-up for this afternoon's Tees-Tyne derby with Newcastle.

The Australia international has missed the club's last two matches with a hernia injury, but returns to partner New Zealand international Chris Killen in attack.

The pair replace Leroy Lita and Jeremie Aliadiere from the side that lost at Cardiff last weekeend.

Rhys Williams makes his first start since December 28, replacing the injured Willo Flood on the right of midfield.

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton makes two changes from the side that thrashed Barnsley 6-1 seven days ago.

Fitz Hall replaces the injured Mike Williamson at the heart of the defence, while Tamas Kadar starts at left-back in place of Jose Enrique.

Enrique is fit enough to take his place in the squad after hobbling out last weekend with a hamstring problem, but the Spaniard is restricted to a place on the bench.

Fabrice Pancrate continues on the right of midfield, with the fit-again Wayne Routledge named amongst the substitutes.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Coyne; Naughton, Wheater, McManus, Taylor; R Williams, O'Neil, Robson, Arca; Killen, McDonald.

Subs: Jones (gk), Hoyte, Riggott, Bennett, Franks, Lita, Miller.

NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Coloccini, Hall, Kadar; Pancrate, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez; Lovenkrands, Carroll.

Subs: Krul (gk), Enrique, R Taylor, Butt, Routledge, Best, Ranger.