ALVARO NEGREDO and Gaston Ramirez have both been dropped from Middlesbrough's starting line-up for today's Premier League game at West Ham.

In a major selection surprise, Aitor Karanka has named both players on the substitutes' bench at the London Stadium.

Negredo makes way for Jordan Rhodes, with the £13m striker coming in for the first Premier League start of his career after a major clamour from the Boro fans to see him in the starting XI.

Ramirez is replaced by Viktor Fischer, whose only previous league start came in the 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace. It remains to be seen whether Fischer or Stewart Downing, who spent two seasons as a West Ham player, line up in the 'number ten' role.

The other change to the Boro side that started last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Everton sees Adam Forshaw replace Adam Clayton at the heart of midfield.

WEST HAM (4-3-3): Adrian; Byram, Collins, Reid, Ogbonna; Obiang, Noble, Kouyate; Tore, Payet, Antonio.

Subs: Randolph (gk), Arbeloa, Feghouli, Fletcher, Fernandes, Lanzini, Zaza.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): Valdes; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; de Roon, Forshaw; Stuani, Downing, Fischer; Rhodes.

Subs: Guzan (gk), Ayala, Espinosa, Clayton, Traore, Ramirez, Negredo.