CAMERON ARCHER will make his first Middlesbrough start in this afternoon's Championship game with Watford.

The Aston Villa loanee has made three substitute appearances since moving to Teesside from the Midlands, but today will be his first start.

Archer replaces Matt Crooks, who drops down to the bench, and is expected to line up as Boro's central striker.

Michael Carrick has made two changes to the side that kicked off last weekend's Wear-Tees derby at Sunderland.

Paddy McNair is restored to the starting line-up, and will partner Darragh Lenihan at centre-half.

McNair replaces Dael Fry, who is suspended following his sending off at the Stadium of Light.


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): Steffen; Smith, Lenihan, McNair, Giles; Howson, Hackney; Forss, Akpom, McGree; Archer.

Subs: Roberts, Jones, Mowatt, Dijksteel, Watmore, Crooks, Bola.

WATFORD (4-2-3-1): Bachmann; Ferreira, Sierralta, Cathcart, Kamara; Gaspar, Choudhury; Martins, Kone, Davis; Sarr.

Subs: Okoye, Asprilla, Araujo, Bacuna, Pollock, Morris, Adeyemo.