TONY PULIS has major defensive concerns ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Queens Park Rangers to the Riverside Stadium, with George Friend almost certainly missing for Middlesbrough.
Friend suffered a hamstring injury in the win at Blackburn on Sunday and has been monitored all week, so it would be a major surprise if he was to face Steve McClaren’s Rangers.
Even though Daniel Ayala is back from suspension, Middlesbrough boss Pulis is still short of defensive options with Ryan Shotton a doubt and Aden Flint already sidelined with another hamstring problem.
Paddy McNair slotted into the back three at Blackburn and is an option, while alternatively Middlesbrough could switch to a back four – which is not something the manager would ideally like to do.
Pulis said: “We have a couple of problems with Flinty already missing and George came off, and we are not sure if he will be fit. Shotts is struggling too. We have to be careful with him and how we handle it. We are carrying a few at the moment.
“Everyone at this stage will pick up injuries. They will be big misses but you have to get over the season, especially with the games in the Championship.
“We have played eight games on top in the cup competitions as well. It’s almost two extra months of football so you will pick up injuries along the way.”
Queens Park Rangers head to Teesside on the back of six straight defeats.
Pulis added: “We watched them at Bristol City, they were unfortunate to lose. What was a dubious last minute penalty against City, and that shows what the league is like.
“If you take anything for granted then there will be a shock. The results in midweek show that again. What you have to do every week is turn up mentally and physically and it will be no different on Saturday.
“I wasn’t here when Steve was here. The supporters … some will have been against him and some for him, for against, that’s life. You will always have a split down the middle.
“Sometimes you go to a club where you are respected for what you have done, others won’t. Steve is big and old enough to take it.”
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