Middlesbrough vs Brighton & Hove Albion preview - Boro Friend-less for Brighton clash

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka will be without defender George Friend for the clash with Brighton.

The full-back will miss the game at the Riverside Stadium through suspension - the first of his career - after being sent off in last weekend's eventful 4-3 defeat at Fulham.

Nineteen-goal striker Patrick Bamford is a doubt as he struggles to overcome an ankle injury which has been troubling him for several weeks.

Central defender Jonathan Woodgate is closing in on a return from a hamstring problem, but the game could come too soon for him, while midfielder Muzzy Carayol has returned to the club after his loan spell at Brighton.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton will be forced into at least one change as on-loan Boro winger Mustapha Carayol is ineligible to face his parent club.

Carayol's place could go to striker Craig Mackail-Smith on what would be the club-record signing's final appearance for the Seagulls.

Player of the Year Inigo Calderon is pushing to return to the starting line-up along with Rohan Ince and Kazenga LuaLua.

But Joao Teixeira (broken leg), Sam Baldock, Andrew Crofts (both knee), Kemy Agustien (thigh) and Solly March (calf) are all still on the sidelines.