Chris Wilder made three changes to his Middlesbrough side that start at Coventry City - with two of those changes particularly big calls.

The Boro boss has decided to drop Isaiah Jones and Ryan Giles to the bench, with the more experienced and defensive-minded duo of Tommy Smith and Marc Bola coming into the starting XI. The third change sees Alex Mowatt back into the starting line-up, with Riley McGree on the bench.

While McGree's swap is likely because of the travelling he did this week while returning from international duty in Australia, the bold call to drop both Jones and Giles - arguably Boro's two most creative forces - is an eye-catching one.

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As well as looking to tighten up away from home where Boro are without a win on the road since April, the move could be inspired by the fact that the week sees two more games following this one, with Wilder's side at home against Birmingham City on Wednesday evening before travelling to Millwall next weekend.

It should be noted that Jones in particular though has been out of form of late and looking short of confidence, with Wilder defending him after the Rotherham draw in which he at times took some stick from the Boro fans he was playing in front of.

Despite returning to training during the international break, Darragh Lenihan does not return to the squad for the game, with Dael Fry retaining his place in the starting line-up. Alongside who though, is up for question. Matt Clarke will be to his left, but it could be either Anfernee Dijksteel or Tommy Smith to his right, with both capable of playing the centre-back and wing-back role.

The other unknown is how the midfield dynamics will look after two sixes were played against Rotherham. Will he stick with that and move Crooks up to ten, or will he go back to his favoured one six and two eights now that Mowatt has had the benefit of a fortnight's training to integrate and learn the role better?

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