Team News: Victor Valdes back for Middlesbrough

Victor Valdes starts between the sticks as Middlesbrough welcome Crystal Palace to the Riverside this afternoon.

The veteran keeper has been out with a hamstring injury since the first game of the season but comes back in for Brad Guzan as Boro look to maintain their unbeaten start to life back in the top flight.

George Friend recovers from a calf injury to replace Emilio Nsue in defence, while Viktor Fischer comes in for Gaston Ramirez, who starts the game on the bench after his international exploits with Uruguay.

Meanwhile, Eagles boss Alan Pardew makes three changes to the side that drew with Bournemouth in the last game before the international break.

Martin Kelly comes into the backline as Pape Souare misses out, while Joe Ledley returns to partner James McCarthur in the middle of the park.

The other change sees Connor Wickham replaced by Wilfried Zaha alongside Christian Benteke up front, and on the subs' bench, Benteke's younger brother Jonathan takes his place ahead of a possible Palace debut.

Middlesbrough: Valdes; Barragan, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Forshaw; Stuani, Downing, Fischer; Negredo Subs: Guzan, Rhodes, Nsue, Ramirez, De Roon, Chambers, Traore

Crystal Palace: Mandanda; Dann, Ward, Delaney, Kelly; Ledley, McArthur, Townsend, Puncheon; Zaha, C Benteke Subs: Hennessey, Fryers, Tomkins, Dreher, Flamini, Lee, J Benteke