Middlesbrough vs Bristol City - Grant Leadbitter banned for Middlesbrough

Posted Thursday, April 12, 2018 by PA

Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis will be without skipper Grant Leadbitter through suspension for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Bristol City.

Leadbitter was sent off for a second bookable offence just 25 minutes into Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United and will sit out as a result.

His place is likely to be taken by Adam Clayton, who has been used as a substitute in the last three games.

Full-back Fabio da Silva also came off the bench at Bramall Lane to make his first senior appearance since Boxing Day after recovering from a thigh injury, but striker Rudy Gestede (ankle) is out for the remainder of the season.

Bristol City captain Bailey Wright is being assessed ahead of the trip to the Riverside Stadium after sustaining an injury in training.

Wright suffered a thigh strain on Monday which caused him to miss the following night’s 3-1 victory over Birmingham, and his condition is being monitored.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Callum O’Dowda made his first start since November in midweek after working his way back from an ankle injury and lasted 69 minutes.

Manager Lee Johnson otherwise has a clean bill of health as he attempts to guide the club back into the play-off places.