BEN GIBSON makes his first appearance of the season as he returns to Middlesbrough's starting line-up for this evening's Championship game at Derby County.

The centre-half has missed the opening three games of the campaign after injuring his hamstring in the pre-season friendly at Barnsley.

Northern Echo sports writer Scott Wilson reports live from the iPro Stadium

However, he has been passed fit to appear in tonight's game at the iPro Stadium, and replaces Emilio Nsue in the only change to the side that started Saturday's convincing 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Gibson partners Daniel Ayala at the heart of the back four, with Tomas Kalas moving across to right-back.

Aitor Karanka has resisted the temptation to make further changes, which means Kike continuing in attack after his two-goal haul against the Trotters.

Both David Nugent and Cristhian Stauni are on the substitutes' bench, with Diego Fabbrini, Stewart Downing and Albert Adomah continuing in midfield.

Derby (4-3-3): Carson; Baird, Shackell, Keogh, Warnock; Thorne, Hanson, Hendrick; Ince, Martin, Weimann.

Subs: Grant (gk), Forsyth, Dawkins, Russell, Pearce, Shotton, Bent.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Kalas, Gibson, Ayala, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton; Adomah, Fabbrini, Downing; Kike.

Subs: Mejias (gk), Stephens, Nsue, Reach, Forshaw, Stuani, Nugent.