West Brom will hope to make the most of Middlesbrough's injury crisis as they travel to the Riverside Stadium for their EFL Championship clash. Boro could name a starting XI and four substitutes with the amount of players that are either injured, or nursing knocks and niggles.
Middlesbrough were in Carabao Cup action on Tuesday and defeated Port Vale to reach the semi-finals, however it may have come at a cost. Several players were forced off with injuries, and Michael Carrick wasn't willing to take any risks, substituting them off as a precaution. West Brom themselves have had their fair share of injuries this term, but Middlesbrough already have two players that won't play apart again this term.
West Brom are unbeaten in their last three matches against Middlesbrough, and won 3-2 earlier on in the season. Cedric Kipre, John Swift, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jeremy Sarmiento were all on target for Carlos Corberan's side that day, and will be hoping for a similar outcome when they travel to North Yorkshire.
Several teams are playing on Friday night, and so West Brom's position could change by then, however a win would for sure make a further distance between themselves, and the chasing pack below them. Three points would get them closer to in-form Southampton, and would likely ensure a top-six spot at the half-way point of the campaign. Middlesbhrough are currently in 13th, and a win for them would take them to as high as eighth if results went in their favour.
Will Middlesbrough's players that took knocks come through at the weekend? Here are all the latest team news updates ahead of Saturday's clash between Boro and the Baggies.
5. Daryl Dike (West Brom) - out
Spent the last nine months on the sidelines with an Achilles injury. Could return after the festive period. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
6. Josh Coburn - out
Josh Coburn hasn't made the squad for the last three games. He has been dealing with some groin and pelvis injuries. | Getty Images
7. Matt Phillips (West Brom) - OUT
Phillips picked up a hamstring injury in the game against Leicester City and is to be sidelined for a considerable period. | Victor Fraile Photo: Victor Fraile
8. Marcus Forss - out
Marcus Forss has been out of action since September with a thigh injury. He was being described as a few weeks away for a return. | Getty Images