Middlesbrough selection boost key duo that may have been missed after dreadful incident

The duo successfully navigated the Burnley match without incurring any disciplinary issues, thereby preventing enforced absences for Middlesbrough.

The determination displayed by Middlesbrough in securing a point against Burnley on Friday evening was not the sole positive outcome from the match. Key players George Edmundson and Ben Doak emerged from the game without receiving any yellow cards, providing Michael Carrick with a significant advantage in team selection for the upcoming match against Leeds United on Tuesday. This encounter at Burnley marked Boro’s 19th match, which is the threshold at which accumulating five yellow cards leads to a one-match suspension.

Both loan players entered the Burnley fixture with four yellow cards, putting them at risk of missing another challenging encounter against promotion contenders Leeds. Edmundson successfully avoided a fifth yellow card over the last three matches, while Liverpool prospect Doak skillfully managed to navigate five games without incurring a suspension.

Additionally, Boro has Finn Azaz, Hayden Hackney, and Neto Borges on three yellow cards. However, the positive news is that the threshold for yellow card suspensions has been raised to ten games. Championship players must now avoid reaching this limit until after the 32nd match, with such an infraction resulting in a two-match suspension.

Currently, barring any changes to the schedule or postponements, Boro’s 32nd match is set for Wednesday, February 12, away at Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. With twelve matches remaining before that date, Carrick will be keen for his players to exercise caution to prevent any detrimental absences.

While Dael Fry’s return has bolstered Carrick’s defensive options, Edmundson’s performance continues to improve as he solidifies his role at the core of the Boro defense, despite initially being brought in as a backup due to increasing defensive injuries. Doak has also been a crucial asset for Carrick’s squad, contributing significantly to their ascent in the Championship standings and into the top six, although Boro also has Isaiah Jones and Marcus Forss vying for the same position.