Healthy competition for places in fully fit squad – Blackwell

Middlesbrough will travel to QPR with a fully-fit squad this weekend and there is competition for places up front.

Striker Ashley Fletcher was forced off with a knock during last week’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth but firstteam assistant Kevin Blackwe l l s ays th e i s sue wa s n’ t s e r i ou s . B o ro c ou l d a l s o hand a debut to new signing Chuba Akpom, who joined the club from Greek club PA

OK last week.

When asked about Fletcher’s injury, Blackwell said: “We took him off prec aut io n-w i s e b e c au s e A kpom had just come and we want to make sure we don’t lose people.

“We have a massive run of games coming up after the international break so any niggles we have to be precautionary and that’s what it was with Fletch.

“We will go in with a fullyfit squad on Saturday.”

Akpom told the press on Tuesday that he has settled in well at the Riverside and is looking forward to linking up with Fletcher and Assombalonga at Boro.

On Akpom, Blackwell added: “I have to say there’s a great feeling among the players, a great camaraderie, the dressing room is good and Akpom has slipped in very, very well.

“H e’s a s m a s h i n g l ad , a go o d bac k g rou n d , a n d h e wa s d e s p e rate to get h e re weeks ago but the run in the Champions League meant he couldn’t come. We are delighted to have him here and are looking forward to integrating him into the team.”

Boro have been playing with two strikers in recent weeks, with Fletcher and c lub c apta i n Br i tt A s s o mbalonga leading the line.

I f t h e Te e s s i d e r s s t i c k w i t h a 3 - 5 - 2 f o r m at i o n , which they played against Watford and Bournemouth, only two strikers will fit into the system. Yet Blackwell says the team could accommodate three strikers with a change of shape, especially as they are looking to bring in another frontman.

“If we stick with two strikers up top it will be two from three,” added Blackwell.

“I f we go th re e up to p there is an opportunity for all three to play, it depends how we set up and the opposition we play against.

"We we re d e s p e rate to create competition for places and with Chuba coming in that’s exactly what it’s done.”

Boro boss Neil Warnock won’t travel with the team but is on the road to recovery after testing positive for COVID-19.