Middlesbrough vs Barnsley - Boro waiting on fitness of Patrick Bamford for Barnsley battle

Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis will make a late check on in-form striker Patrick Bamford ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Barnsley.

Bamford, who scored his seventh goal in four games in Tuesday night’s 1-0 win at Birmingham, was taken off as a precaution with 13 minutes remaining after complaining of tightness in his hamstring, and he will be assessed.

Midfielder Grant Leadbitter completes a two-match ban imposed for reaching 10 bookings for the season, although he is also nursing a hamstring problem.

Striker Rudy Gestede is out for the season following ankle surgery, while full-back Fabio da Silva continues his recovery from a thigh problem.

Barnsley defender Adam Jackson could return to action after missing Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Cardiff under the concussion protocol.

Jackson lost consciousness during the 1-1 draw at Hull a week earlier and is now free to resume.

Skipper Andy Yiadom was back in the starting line-up in south Wales after being used only as a substitute against the Tigers.

Fellow defender Matt Mills has missed the last three games with an ankle problem as he closes in on a return.