'Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers - Match Preview'

Boro defender Dael Fry has been ruled out from his team’s home game against Blackburn at the weekend, manager Tony Pulis has confirmed.

The 21-year-old suffered a head injury last Saturday as he clashed with Yannick Bolasie in Boro’s 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa.



Another Boro player who has been sidelined for the fixture is striker Rudy Gestede, as the former Aston Villa striker remains out due to a hamstring injury.

One player who could make a comeback for Boro is defender Ryan Shotton, as he has recovered from the knee injury which he sustained while playing against Sheffield Wednesday in October.

As for Blackburn Rovers, Elliott Bennett is still recovering from a metatarsal fracture which he sustained earlier on in the season. In his absence, Craig Conway is once again expected to start from the off.

Amari'i Bell is in contention to make a return for Rovers, while Darragh Lenihan is looking to return from a hip injury which ruled him out of the last two games.

Pulis Looking Forward to Welcoming Tony Mowbray

Praising him for the job he did during his 3-year spell as Boro manager, Tony Pulis says he is looking forward to welcoming Tony Mowbray on Saturday.

"I know Tony quite well, especially from his time at West Brom when I was at Stoke. He's done good jobs wherever he's gone."

"That includes here at Middlesbrough, and I don't think he got the credit he deserved. He took over in very difficult circumstances, he had to pick up the pieces and worked tremendously hard to clear out the mess and put the club back on course."

"He's settled well at Blackburn now and has had the opportunity that he's wanted, and brought in some good players. He's a good football man and it will be nice to see him."

Despite praising his predecessor, Pulis was understandably cautious of the fact that Mowbray would have a point to prove when his team meets Boro on Saturday.

"He'll be desperate to get one over his old club I'm sure," Pulis said.

"As a manager going back to an old club, you do exactly the same things but there's more of an edge, that nice little feeling about it.

"We've just got to concentrate on what we can do to get round the game and get the three points."