Johnson dealing with defensive deficiency as Boro visit Bristol

Posted Thursday, August 16, 2018 by PA

Manager Lee Johnson will be without four central defenders as Bristol City welcome early Sky Bet Championship leaders Middlesbrough to Ashton Gate.

Nathan Baker, Bailey Wright, Taylor Moore and Jens Hegeler are all missing through injury, with Moore the closest to a return.

Johnson made eight changes for Tuesday night’s 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat to League One side Plymouth, with only Jack Hunt, Lloyd Kelly and Callum O’Dowda retaining their places, and he is likely to restore his senior players for the Teessiders’ visit.

Goalkeeper Frank Fielding and winger Hakeeb Adelakun remain on the long-term casualty list, while striker Famara Diedhiou is suspended.

Boro boss Tony Pulis is also expected to turn to his big guns once again after making 10 changes for Tuesday night’s penalty shootout victory over League Two outfit Notts County.

Only Dael Fry survived from Saturday’s league victory over Birmingham and although he limped off with an ankle problem, he should be fit for the trip south.

Central defender Daniel Ayala made his first appearance of the season against the Magpies after recovering from injury and is likely to make the bench alongside striker Ashley Fletcher, who scored twice in midweek.

The game could see Aden Flint line up against the side who sold him to Boro for £6million in June.