ASHLEY FLETCHER is a surprise starter as Middlesbrough host Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

Fletcher will make his first Boro league start since October 2017 as Boro look to get back to winning ways in the wake of last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

The striker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Sunderland, is one of three changes to the side that started against Villa.

Ryan Shotton and Daniel Ayala also return to the starting XI, with Dael Fry, Danny Batth and Marcus Tavernier dropping out of the side.

Boro look like starting with a flat back four, with Shotton and George Friend filling the full-back roles.

Fletcher is set to partner Jordan Hugill in the Middlesbrough attack.

Blackburn, who are managed by former Boro boss Tony Mowbray, have named two ex-Boro players in their side - midfielder Richie Smallwood and striker Danny Graham.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Randolph; Shotton, Ayala, Flint, Friend; Howson, Clayton, Besic, Downing; Fletcher, Hugill.

Subs: Lonergan(gk), Batth, McNair, Wing, Saville, Tavernier, Assombalonga.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Raya; Nyambe, Downing, Mulgrew, Williams; Evans, Reid, Smallwood, Conway; Dack, Graham.

Subs: Leutwiler (gk), Armstrong, Rothwell, Bell, Brereton, Lenihan, Palmer.