Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Birmingham City

Middlesbrough will be eager to get their promotion charge up and running again on Saturday when they host Birmingham City in the Championship.

Two consecutive defeats have left Tony Mowbray's side three points off the playoff places with games quickly running out.

Birmingham come into the fixture having pulled themselves seven points away from the drop zone thanks to a draw and a win in their last two matches.

George Friend is to be assessed by the home side before the match, while Faris Haroun and Josh McEachran are expected to return after their pair missed last weekend's defeat at Bristol City through illness.

The visitors have no new injury concerns for their trip to the Riverside Stadium.

Recent form

Boro: DLLWLL

Birmingham: LDWLDW

Possible starting lineups

Boro: Steele; Friend, McManus, Williams, Woodgate; Bailey, McEachran, Smallwood, Emnes; Carayol, McDonald

Birmingham: Butland; Davies, Spector, Caddis, Robinson, Ferguson, Burke, Elliott, Reilly; Lovenkrands, Zigic

Sports Mole says: 2-1