Team News: Grant Leadbitter, Adam Clayton start for Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough are able to include midfielders Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton in their starting lineup against Championship strugglers Fulham at the Riverside Stadium this afternoon.

Leadbitter is deemed fit after picking up a head wound in the 1-1 draw with Blackpool on Tuesday while Clayton recovered from illness, which forced him off during the game in midweek.

Albert Adomah returns to the side after suspension, but Dean Whitehead must be content with a place on the bench for Aitor Karanka's men.

Meanwhile, Cottagers caretaker boss Kit Symons keeps faith with the starting XI which earned an emphatic 4-0 win over lowly Bolton Wanderers last time out.

Shaun Hutchinson is not included in the Fulham squad despite serving a three-match ban. Adam Taggart is still sidelined with a back problem while Ryan Williams has joined Barnsley on a one-month loan deal.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Fredericks, Ayala, Omeruo, Friend, Adomah, Clayton, Leadbitter, Reach, Tomlin, Kike

Fulham: Bettinelli, Hoogland, Bodurov, Burn, Amorebieta; Parker, Christensen, Stafylidis; Ruiz, Rodallega, McCormack