DAEL FRY and Marcus Forss are back in the Middlesbrough squad for this afternoon's play-off semi-final first leg against Coventry City - but the pair only make the substitutes' bench at the CBS Arena.

Michael Carrick has named the same starting XI that kicked off last weekend's 1-1 draw with Coventry on the final day of the regular Championship season.

Tommy Smith retain his place at right-back despite Anfernee Dijksteel returning from suspension, with the latter named on the bench.

Alex Mowatt partners Hayden Hackney in central midfield in the continued absence of Jonny Howson, with Isaiah Jones retaining his place on the right-hand side and Riley McGree starting on the left.

Fry and Forss both return from injury to make the squad, but are only on the bench.

Howson and Aaron Ramsey have both travelled to the CBS Arena with the rest of the Boro squad, but neither feature in today's matchday 18.


COVENTRY (3-5-2): Wilson; McNally, McFadzean, Doyle; Norton-Cuffy, Hamer, Kelly, Eccles, Bidwell; Godden, Gyokeres.

Subs: Moore, Panzo, Dabo, Wilson-Esbrand, Allen, Sheaf, Maguire.

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

Subs: Roberts, Fry, Barlaser, Dijksteel, Forss, Crooks, Bola.