PREM: Middlesbrough v Sunderland preview

Middlesbrough v Sunderland preview

Middlesbrough midfielder Gaston Ramirez will miss Wednesday night's must-win Premier League showdown with derby rivals Sunderland through suspension.

The Uruguay international will sit out after being sent off for a second bookable offence during Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth, and will be joined on the sidelines by keeper Victor Valdes, who is struggling to shake of a rib injury.

However, former Sunderland player Grant Leadbitter has a chance of being involved after returning to training following a hamstring problem, as does fellow midfielder Marten de Roon (ankle).

Sunderland manager David Moyes is remaining tight-lipped over an injury concern.

Moyes admits he is assessing one player, but declined to name him, while full-back Bryan Oviedo (hamstring) and long-term absentees Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore (both knee) - the latter of whom may require a second operation - remain on the sidelines.

Midfielder Sebastian Larsson serves the second leg of his three-match ban, but defender Billy Jones has returned to training after suffering concussion during the 2-2 draw with West Ham last time out.

Teams

Middlesbrough (from): Guzan, Konstantopoulos, Barragan, Friend, Fabio, Chambers, Gibson, Espinosa, Ayala, Husband, Fry, De Roon, Clayton, Forshaw, Leadbitter, Guedioura, Downing, Stuani, Traore, Fischer, Negredo, Gestede, Bamford. 

Sunderland (from): Pickford, Mannone, Jones, Manquillo, Denayer, Love, O'Shea, Kone, Djilobodji, Lescott, Cattermole, Ndong, Gibson, Borini, Januzaj, Pienaar, Khazri, Honeyman, Defoe, Anichebe, Maja.