RUDY GESTEDE will play alongside Alvaro Negredo as Steve Agnew looks to give Middlesbroughh's survival campaign a huge shot in the arm at Hull City tonight.

Having switched to a 4-4-2 formation during both of his games since replacing Aitor Karanka, Agnew will start with the system as Boro look to arrest a run of 12 league games without a victory at the KCOM Stadium.

Gestede replaces Gaston Ramirez from the side that started Sunday's goalless draw at Swansea, with the Uruguayan having sustained an ankle injury at the Liberty Stadium.

Agnew has made three changes in total, with Daniel Ayala preferred to Bernardo Espinosa at centre-half.

The final alteration sees James Husband replace the injured Fabio Da Silva at left-back.

Husband will be making his Premier League debut for Boro as he makes his first league appearance for the club since February 2015.

HULL (4-4-2): Jakupovic; Elmohamady, Maguire, Ranocchia, Robertson; Grosicki, N'Diaye, Clucas, Markovic; Hernandez, Niasse.

Subs: Marshall (gk), Dawson, Henriksen, Evandro, Meyler, Diomande, Maloney.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Valdes; Barragan, Ayala, Gibson, Husband; Traore, Clayton, de Roon, Downing; Gestede, Negredo.

Subs: Guzan (gk), Bernardo, Leadbitter, Forshaw, Guedioura, Stuani, Bamford.