Michael Carrick has made three changes to his Middlesbrough team for the visit of QPR.

Paddy McNair has replaced Dael Fry at the back, while Dan Barlaser and Aaron Ramsey come in for their first starts, with captain Jonny Howson and Marcus Forss dropping to the bench.

With Howson among the substitutes, Darragh Lenihan captains Boro. Cameron Archer again leads the line for the hosts, looking to continue his blistering form after scoring three times in his last two outings.

Isaiah Jones is again missing from the squad after becoming a father earlier this week.

Boro: Steffen, Smith, McNair, Lenihan, Giles; Barlaser, Hackney; Ramsey, Akpom, McGree; Archer

Subs: Roberts, Mowatt, Fry, Howson, Forss, Crooks, Bola

QPR: Dieng, Kakay, Dickie, Dunne, Paal, Field, Dozzell, Iroegbunam, Chair, Lowe, Martin

Subs: Archer, Drew, Gubbins, Adomah, Dixon-Bonner, Johansen, Aoraha,