PREM: Middlesbrough v Leicester preview

Middlesbrough v Leicester preview

Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani will play their final game for Leicester before the Africa Cup of Nations as they travel to Middlesbrough in the Premier League on Monday.

The Algerian duo will link up with their national team next week, with Daniel Amartey and Jeff Schlupp also heading off for international duty with Ghana. 

They could miss up to a month of Premier League fixtures depending on how far they go in the competition, with the Foxes aiming for their first back-to-back victories this season after beating West Ham 1-0 on New Year's Eve. 

Middlesbrough sit just two points behind the current league champions in the table and will be looking to take advantage of Leicester's poor away form, with manager Aitor Karanka preparing his side for a huge game on Monday.

"Now is the most important game in the season because it is the next one and it is against a direct opponent. All this season, these are the kind of games we have to win," said the Boro boss.

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy will serve the final game of his three-match ban on Monday, while Christian Fuchs could return for Ben Chilwell at left-back with Claudio Ranieri expected to shuffle his squad.

Middlesbrough will welcome back defender Antonio Barragan after he was suspended for the New Year's Eve defeat to Manchester United. 

Karanka will consider making changes after 90 intense minutes at Old Trafford, with Gaston Ramirez likely to be restored and Viktor Fischer (knee) still struggling.