Bates set to keep his place

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren will rely on teenage defender Matthew Bates once again for the UEFA Cup tie against Dnipro at the Riverside Stadium.

The 18-year-old turned in an excellent display in the 4-1 demolition of Manchester United on Saturday and with Gareth Southgate (groin) and Ugo Ehiogu (knee) both injured, seems certain to keep his place.

Boro will also be without the suspended Abel Xavier, the ineligible Fabio Rochemback and Ray Parlour (knee), while McClaren admits he will make changes as he attempts to keep fresh legs for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership trip to Everton.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Jones, Parnaby, Pogatetz, Riggott, Bates, Wheater, Queudrue, Boateng, Mendieta, Morrison, Doriva, Johnson, Kennedy, Yakubu, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Maccarone, Nemeth.