ALEX Bangura is making his first Middlesbrough Championship start since December 2023, and Kim Hellberg has made four changes to the starting lineup for his debut game in command.
Bangura and Matt Targett replace Luke Ayling and Sammy Silvera, who drop to the bench. Ayling is sidelined due to an injury.
Delano Burgzorg is also called up, and Sontje Hansen gets a start following a strong performance off the bench in the midweek defeat to Coventry.
Aidan Morris is out after hobbling off injured against Coventry, and Riley McGree drops to the bench.
David Strelec and Archie Baptiste, a 20-year-old defender signed from Tottenham in the summer, have returned as substitutes.
Callum Brittain, Alfie Jones, Targett, and Bangura are expected to form the defensive, with Alan Browne partnering Hayden Hackney in midfield.
Morgan Whittaker, Hansen, and Burgzorg will back up Tommy Conway, who is trying to break his goalless streak of 13 games.
Middlesbrough: Brynn, Brittain, Jones, Targett, Bangura; Hackney, Browne; Whittaker, Hansen, Burgzorg, Conway.
Substitutes: McLaughlin, McGree, Strelec, Gilbert, Hamilton, Nypan, Sene, Silvera, and Baptiste.
Derby: Zetterstrom; Sanderson, Clarke, Langas; Ward, Adams, Clark, Elder; Agyemang, Brereton Diaz, Salveson.
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