MIDDLESBROUGH are eying up a first win of the season in midweek as their Carabao Cup campaign kicks off against League One Barnsley tomorrow night.

With Boro operating with a thin squad, manager Chris Wilder is expected to make changes for the game as he offers a chance to others in the squad who haven’t played. The likes of Marcus Forss and Chuba Akpom are working their way up to full fitness having missed most of pre-season with the club.

The Tykes have kicked off their League One season with a defeat to Plymouth Argyle and a win over Cheltenham Town. They head to the Riverside Stadium looking to cause an upset following their relegation from the Championship.

Last season, Boro enjoyed an FA Cup run to the last eight of the competition beating Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur before losing to Chelsea.

While Boro are yet to taste victory so far this season, the manager feels they are due one from their performances as he said: “I would love to get a first win of the season, I don’t think we are a million miles off it. I didn’t think we were last week. Second half today (QPR away) maybe but you’ve got to say that we have got one point out of six. We can’t hide from that fact there.

“I think we all understand that the league is where we are going to get judged. I should imagine it gives us an opportunity to put some minutes into players. It gives an opportunity to protect something because I understand that the next game is quite a big one as well.”

Boro will be without Josh Coburn for the game who is set to be ruled out for the next two months with a knee injury.