Wheater back for Boro?

Defender David Wheater is set to return to the Middlesbrough starting line-up for Monday’s daunting trip to Old Trafford after sitting through his side’s defeat to Everton on the bench.

Gareth Southgate has a number of other options and may also choose to give Brazilian striker

Afonso Alves a start after his forward line’s laboured display against the Toffees.

But the game will definitely come too soon for French midfielder Didier Digard who failed a test on his groin injury prior to the Everton game and has now been ruled out until the new year.

Middlesbrough (from): Turnbull, Jones, McMahon, Taylor, Grounds, Pogatetz, Huth, Wheater, Bates, Hines, Williams, Arca, Walker, Downing, Johnson, O’Neil, Aliadiere, Tuncay, Alves, Mido, Emnes.