Middlesbrough finally get their pre-season campaign underway on Wednesday evening with a friendly at non-league Bishop Auckland.
After several significant arrivals and departures, Neil Warnock will want to get off to a winning start at the Voneus Broadband Stadium.
Match preview
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Having witnessed their side win just five of their final 15 matches last season, some Middlesbrough fans would have supported the departure of Neil Warnock ahead of next season.
However, the powers-that-be at the Riverside Stadium have placed faith in the veteran boss at a time when a number of important players have departed the club.
George Saville, Marvin Johnson, Ashley Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga have all made important, if not regular, contributions in recent seasons, and their seniority will be missed behind the scenes.
Nevertheless, removing a significant portion of the club's wages gives Warnock some freedom to be creative in the transfer market, and the additions of Lee Peltier and Sammy Ameobi could make a difference.
On paper, Middlesbrough have been provided with an extremely favourable start to the campaign, with none of last season's top seven featuring in the schedule until September 25.
This game marks the start of a pre-season campaign against six teams in lower divisions over a 16-day period, concluding with a trip to Rotherham United on July 30.
Bishop Auckland have already played two fixtures in recent days, following a 1-0 defeat at Grangetown Boys Club with a 3-1 reverse against Shildon.
The Two Blues had only won one of their 12 matches in the Northern League Division One before it was declared null and void due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Team News
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Warnock is expected to name a strong Middlesbrough squad for this game, potentially using a different XI in each half.
Joe Lumley and Uche Ikpeazu are in contention to make an appearance after their transfers from Queens Park Rangers and Wycombe Wanderers respectively.
Connor Malley, Josh Coburn, Hayden Hackney and Jack Robinson will also expect to feature after the young quartet were given game time at the back end of last season.
Eighteen-year-old Josh Wells, who has signed from Lowestoft Town, may be limited to action with the Under-18s and Under-23s.
Head To Head
While these two sides have crossed paths in friendlies over the years, there is only one competitive match on record.
That came all the way back in 1900 with Middlesbrough recording a 4-0 victory at Linthorpe Road in the FA Cup.
We say: Bishop Auckland 0-5 Middlesbrough
With Middlesbrough likely to show signs of rustiness, the home side will fancy their chances of causing an upset.
However, Warnock's side should still have far too much in the tank, regardless of the minutes which are given to his senior players.
Darren Plant
