Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren is expected to drop one of his strikers for the trip to Villa Park on Saturday, preferring to go with another man in midfield to combat a buoyant Aston Villa

The unlucky man could well be Szilard Nemeth , the Slovakian International will count himself unlucky after scoring his first Premiership goal for Boro against Derby last week in the 5-1 rout. Infact anyone who doesn’t keep his place will be unfortunate. McClaren will be tempted to field the same side that destroyed the Rams, but is expected to start with a more defensive line-up in respect to Villa’s good start.

One man he surely can’t drop is Carlos Marinelli. The young Argentine was magnificent against Derby, and the boss will be hoping he continues his good form. The fact Alen Boksic preferred to stay at home, rather than travel with Croatia last week, shows he is certain to start, now fully fit and rested.

One man Boro will be without is skipper Paul Ince who starts his first of a three game suspension. The former England man was sent off against Sunderland a fortnight ago after he raised his arms against Niall Quinn. Mark Wilson is expected to take his place. Aussie skipper Paul Okon also could be handed a surprise start. Okon is on the transfer list at the Riverside after failing to make an impression on McClaren. However, it is understood that if Boro do go in with a 4 man midfield, Okon will start.