MIDDLESBROUGH striker Chuba Akpom has been drafted back in from the wilderness as Chris Wilder hands him a start in their opening game of the season against West Brom.

The 26-year-old was initially allowed to leave the club earlier this summer but was brought back into training in the last few weeks with Boro struggling to recruit signings this summer.

The other surprising name in the starting line-up sees Dael Fry dropped to the bench with Marc Bola starting within a back three.

New signings Marcus Forss and Tommy Smith are named amongst the subs bench with debuts handed to Darragh Lenihan, Zack Steffen and Ryan Giles.

Steve Bruce has handed debuts to John Swift and Jed Wallace for the Baggies this afternoon.

BORO XI: Steffen; Lenihan, Dijksteel, Bola; Jones, Howson, Crooks, McGree, Giles; Akpom, Watmore

Subs: Roberts, Fry, Smith, Coburn, Boyd-Munce, Forss, Hackney

WBA XI: Button, Furlong, Rjayi, O'Shea, Townsend, Livermore, Molumby, Swift, Wallace, Grant, Phillips

Subs: Palmer, Bartley, Mowatt, Gardner-Hickman, Reach, Diangana, Dike