PADDY McNAIR looks set to play in midfield as Middlesbrough host Sheffield United this afternoon.

The Northern Irishman is set to be repositioned to replace Matt Crooks, who is unavailable for today's game.

Chris Wilder has made three changes from the side that started against QPR in Boro's last league game, with Dael Fry returning to the heart of the defence to partner Anfernee Dijksteel and Darragh Lenihan.

McNair is set to play alongside Jonny Howson and Riley McGree at the heart of midfield, with Chuba Akpom partnering Marcus Forss in attack.

Alex Mowatt is on the Boro bench after signing on loan from West Brom yesterday, and is joined amongst the substitutes by fellow new signing Matthew Hoppe.


MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2): Steffen; Dijksteel, Lenihan, Fry; Jones, McNair, Howson, McGree, Giles; Akpom, Forss.

Subs: Roberts (gk), Mowatt, Hoppe, Smith, Watmore, Bola, Hackney.

SHEFF UTD (3-5-2): Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Norrington-Davies; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Fleck, Lowe; Sharp, Ndiaye.

Subs: Amissah (gk), Brewster, McBurnie, Khadra, Doyle, McAtee, Gordon.