Middlesbrough return to Championship action when they take on Stoke City on Saturday.

Here are all the details you need to know about the game…


WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?

Having lost out to Sunderland in the Wear-Tees derby at the Stadium of Light last weekend, Boro return to home soil as they host Stoke City at the Riverside.

The two sides met at the same venue last month, with Stoke enjoying an evening to remember as they romped to a 5-0 victory in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

That result extended Stoke’s unbeaten run at the Riverside to three matches, with Boro’s last home win over the Potters having come in April 2022 when a Matt Crooks double and an own goal from Lewis Baker enabled the Teessiders to claim a 3-1 victory.


WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?

Saturday’s game is a traditional 3pm kick-off.


ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?

Yes – tickets for the home sections of the Riverside are still available via the ticketing section of Middlesbrough’s official website.

Non-member prices start at £32 for adults, £24 for Over-65s and £15 for Under-18s.


IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?

No, the game has not been selected for live TV broadcast. A Championship highlights show will be screened at 9pm on ITV4.

As the game falls in the 3pm Saturday blackout period, there will be no domestic streaming available.

Radio commentary for the match will be available on BBC Radio Tees. The Northern Echo’s Dom Shaw will be at the Riverside producing a live blog, report, ratings, reaction and analysis on The Northern Echo’s official website.


WHAT IS MIDDLESBROUGH’S LIKELY LINE-UP?

Rav van den Berg and Jonny Howson remain injury doubts for Saturday’s game, having missed last weekend’s defeat on Wearside.

However, there is a chance both players could have recovered in time to feature, which would be a major boost to Boro boss Michael Carrick.

Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan remain longer-term absentees, with neither player expected to be contending for a starting spot against Stoke.

Carrick will have to decide whether to make changes in the wake of his side’s loss to Sunderland. Riley McGree is pushing for a return to the starting side on the left of midfield, while Liverpool loanee Ben Doak could also make a first Boro start on the opposite flank ahead of Isaiah Jones.

Middlesbrough (probable, 4-2-3-1): Dieng; Ayling, Edmundson, Clarke, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Doak, Conway, McGree; Latte Lath.


HOW ARE STOKE SHAPING UP?

Stoke have had a mixed start to the season. They thrashed Boro at the Riverside in the Carabao Cup, but just a couple of weeks later, their boss, Steven Schumacher, was surprisingly dismissed.

Former Norwich City coach Narcis Pelach was appointed as Schumacher’s successor, but his first game in charge did not go to plan last weekend as Hull City came from behind to claim a 3-1 win at the bet365 Stadium.

Former Sunderland midfielder Lynden Gooch missed the defeat to Hull through injury and is a doubt for Saturday’s game.

Andrew Moran was also absent last weekend because of an illness, but he should be back in the squad at the Riverside.

Former Boro favourite Ben Gibson is set to return to his former stamping ground at the heart of the Stoke backline.

Stoke (probable, 4-4-1-1): Johansson; Tchamadeu, Wilmot, Gibson, Bocat; Koumas, Burger, Thompson, Bae; Manhoef; Cannon.