MIDDLESBROUGH head coach Aitor Karanka has made six changes for his side's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Oxford United.

Brad Guzan returns to the side, replacing Victor Valdes, while Daniel Ayala comes back into the back four in place of Ben Gibson.

Skipper Grant Leadbitter will partner Adam Clayton at the base of midfield, with Adam Forshaw dropping out of the side.

Stewart Downing, who scored the winner over Accrington Stanley in round four, is set to play in the 'number ten' role, with wingers Adama Traore and Viktor Fischer on either side of him.

Rudy Gestede is selected as a lone striker, with Patrick Bamford and Alvaro Negredo both named on the substitutes' bench.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Chambers, Bernardo, Ayala, Fabio; Clayton, Leadbitter; Traore, Downing, Fischer; Gestede.

Subs: Valdes (gk), Gibson, de Roon, Ramirez, Bamford, Stuani, Negredo.

OXFORD (4-5-1): Eastwood; Edwards, Dunkley, Nelson, Maguire; Hall, Lundstram, Ledson, Johnson, Martinez; Hemmings.

Subs: Agboola (gk), Skarz, Sercombe, McAleny, Ruffels, Rothwell, Raglan.