Britt Assombalonga keen to take on former employers Forest

Posted Friday, April 06, 2018 by PA

Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga will hope he has done enough to persuade manager Tony Pulis he has a role to play against former club Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The £15million summer signing scored his first goal since Boxing Day after being introduced as a 37th-minute substitute in Monday’s disappointing 1-1 Sky Bet Championship draw at Burton, but he will be looking to make just a second start in 10 games.

Full-back Fabio played 90 minutes for the under-23s in their 1-0 win at Newcastle in midweek and could make the matchday squad for the first time since his thigh injury struck in December.

Rudy Gestede remains Pulis’ only long-term casualty as he continues to recover from ankle surgery.

Former Boro boss Aitor Karanka will return to the Riverside Stadium desperate to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 Good Friday defeat at Millwall.

The postponement of the Easter Monday clash with Barnsley because of a waterlogged pitch at the City Ground has given striker Daryl Murphy and midfielder Kieran Dowell extra time to shake off the injuries which prevented their participation against the Lions.

David Vaughan continues to battle an ankle injury which has sidelined him since the end of January.

Defender Danny Fox could make his 100th appearance for the club after signing a one-year contract extension this week.