Middlesbrough vs Reading - Aitor Karanka set to rotate team

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is likely to rotate his squad again for Reading's Sky Bet Championship visit on Tuesday night.

Karanka made four changes for Saturday's 1-0 win over Preston - Boro's fourth successive victory - and admits his players are tired and at the risk of injury, even though beating Reading would take them above Burnley and two points clear at the top of the Championship.

Adam Clayton is set to reclaim a midfield spot after suffering a dead leg which saw him benched against Preston.

Jordan Rhodes, Stewart Downing and Tomas Kalas could also return to the starting line-up as Karanka seeks to keep his squad fresh for the final few weeks of the season.

Fit-again Garath McCleary could return to the starting line-up for Reading.

The Jamaica winger looked lively as a substitute during the second half of Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Birmingham after three weeks out with a calf problem.

Striker Deniss Rakels is also fit after a hamstring injury and was an unused substitute at the weekend.

But Hal Robson-Kanu is still out with a leg injury and Aaron Tshibola has a hamstring problem.