Middlesbrough team news at Wrexham as Will Lankshear misses out

Will Lankshear is absent for Middlesbrough’s clash with Wrexham, and is also a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Watford.

The striker pulled up after scoring the second goal against Charlton Athletic on Saturday. But the hope was that it was just cramp, with the star striker quickly withdrawn.

However, Lankshear was absent as the Boro team was announced for Wednesday evening’s clash with Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.

Kyle Joseph came in to lead the line for Boro in Lankshear’s absence, just as he did recently in the first half against Cardiff City. But, Lankshear was required from the bench at half-time in that game, with Boro 2-0 down before rescuing a point.

Lankshear’s injury comes while the striker is in red hot form for Boro. He netted twice against Charlton to move his tally to 15 in all competitions and 13 league goals in as many league games.

The severity of the injury is not known at this stage, with Kim Hellberg to be asked after the game.

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It comes at a terrible time for Lankshear though, with suggestions he had a chance of being included in the England squad, which is due to be announced on Friday evening.

There were suggestions that England boss Thomas Tuchel was sending a scout to watch Lankshear at Wrexham, but the striker is instead not involved.

As well as Wrexham, Lankshear is also expected to miss Saturday’s trip to Watford too, and it appears likely that he won’t be involved with England during the international break, whether that would have been the senior squad or the Under-21s.

Elsewhere, Boro’s second change for the Wrexham game saw Hellberg replace Riley McGree with captain Luke Ayling, suggesting a change in formation for Boro.

Ayling will likely move into a back three, though Adilson Malanda often steps up into midfield. In Lankshear’s absence, Rangers loanee Connor Barron returns to the Boro bench.

Starting XI: Vitek, Ayling, Phillips, Malanda, Brittain, Morris, Berhalter, Borges, Cozier-Duberry, Conway, Joseph.

Subs: Brynn, Byram, Arfsten, Barron, Peart-Harris, McGree, Castledine, Sarmiento. Strelec.