RUDY GESTEDE returns to the Middlesbrough starting line-up at Fulham as one of six changes to the side that started Tuesday's FA Cup replay defeat at Tottenham.

As expected, Aynsley Pears returns in goal, replacing Tomas Mejias, who drops down the bench.

Hayden Coulson is back in the back five, with Marvin Johnson dropping out of the team that started at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

George Saville, Marcus Tavernier and Patrick Roberts are selected in the Boro midfield, with Ben Liddle, Lewis Wing and Lukas Nmecha dropping out of the side.

And Gestede gets the nod in attack ahead of Ashley Fletcher, who is named amongst the substitutes despite his fine recent form.

Fulham are without their leading goalscorer, Aleksandar Mitrovic, with the former Newcastle United striker nursing an ankle injury.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; Bryan, Hector, Ream, Odoi; Onomah, McDonald, Cairney; Knockaert, Reid, Cavaleiro.

Subs: Bettinelli (gk), Mawson, Johansen, Arter, Christie, de la Torre, Stansfield.

MIDDLESBROUGH (3-4-2-1): Pears; Howson, McNair, Fry; Spence, Clayton, Saville, Coulson; Roberts, Tavernier; Gestede.

Subs: Mejias (gk), Wood, Liddle, Johnson, Wing, Nmecha, Fletcher.