King poised for home Boro debut

Striker Marlon King is poised to make his home Middlesbrough debut in tomorrow’s crucial Barclays Premier League basement battle with Blackburn.

King, who is on loan from Hull until the end of the season and played on his own up front at Chelsea on Wednesday, is expected to partner Afonso Alves in attack as Gareth Southgate reverts to a 4-4-2 formation.

Didier Digard and Gary O’Neil are both suspended for the match while Andrew Taylor (ankle), Jeremie Aliadiere (foot) and Josh Walker (ankle) are ruled out because of injury.

Provisional squad: Turnbull, McMahon, Pogatetz, Riggott, Wheater, Bates, Shawky, Tuncay, Downing, King, Alves, Jones, Hoyte, Huth, Bennett, Arca, Johnson, Emnes, Porritt.