Middlesbrough v Blackpool: Live updates from the Riverside Stadium as Seasiders fight back to claim deserved win
Follow our blog below for live updates...
Middlesbrough v Blackpool - live updates
Key Events
- FT: Middlesbrough 1-2 Blackpool
- Seasiders looking to get back to winning ways after midweek setback
- Demetri Mitchell could return from six-week injury lay-off
2 - Sweeper keeper
We’ve just witnessed a bizarre moment from Chris Maxwell, who - with the ball at his feet - has just brought the ball out to almost the halfway line almost unopposed.
Maxwell plays it long and Pool win a throw-in near the corner.
The teams are out
And kick-off is fast approaching.
Can the Seasiders put their midweek setback behind them and get back to winning ways? We’ll soon find out.
Up the mighty Pool!!
League update
Pool have moved out of the bottom three without even kicking a ball, owing to Hull City’s 3-1 home defeat to Sheffield United.
Both Blackpool and Hull are on five points, but Pool’s goal difference is one goal better.
Analysis
Neil Critchley opts to make two changes to the side that suffered a harsh 3-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town in midweek.
Jerry Yates, who has yet to score from open play this season, is dropped to the bench alongside Jordan Gabriel.
Dujon Sterling and Keshi Anderson are the two to come into the starting XI, the former making his first start for the club.
Demetri Mitchell is fit enough to travel with the squad having returned to training this week following a six-week lay-off with a knee injury, but he isn’t named in the 18.
Kevin Stewart, meanwhile, is another notable absentee from the match-day squad.
The midfielder was an unused substitute on Tuesday night, having starred in last week’s 1-0 win against Fulham.
Matty Virtue (ACL), Grant Ward (achilles), Owen Dale (foot) and CJ Hamilton (foot) all remain sidelined.
Teddy Howe, Oliver Sarkic, Bez Lubala and Joe Nuttall, meanwhile, continue to be left out having not been registered in Blackpool’s squad.
As for Middlesbrough, they name an unchanged side from their 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night - a result that spelled the end for Forest boss Chris Hughton, who was sacked the following morning.
Former Seasiders Joe Lumley and Grant Hall start, while Uche Ikpeazu is named among the substitutes. Marc Bola, subject to a recent FA charge, is sidelined through injury.