Bates and Haroun back for Boro (From The Northern Echo)

Bates and Haroun back for Boro

7:20pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Football By Scott Wilson

MATTHEW Bates and Faris Haroun return to Middlesbrough's starting line-up for this evening's Championship home game with Nottingham Forest.

Bates has recovered from the illness that kept him out of Saturday's abandoned game at Ipswich Town.

The skipper replaces Tony McMahon, and will partner Seb Hines at the heart of the back four with Rhys Williams expected to push forward into midfield.

Haroun has shaken off an injury to return in place of Curtis Main, who drops down to the substitutes' bench.

Meanwhile, Boro defender Stephen McManus has joined Championship rivals Bristol City on loan until the end of the season.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Steele; Hoyte, Hines, Bates, Bennett; Haroun, R Williams, Thomson, Arca; Jutkiewicz, Emnes.

Subs: McMahon, Halliday, Smallwood, Main, Ogbeche.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-4-2): Camp; Wootton; Chambers, Higginbotham, Elokobi; Gunter, Guedioura, Moussi, McCleary; Miller, Harewood.

Subs: Smith (gk), Findley, Lynch, Reid, Blackstock.