Middlesbrough

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Stoke City and Middlesbrough will seek to answer back to their promotion rivals when they play the final match of the round on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

Depending how Coventry and Ipswich fare the previous night, Boro could be as many as nine points off the top and down to third by the time they kick-off at the Bet365, seeking a third straight win after scoring seven across their past two victories.

The Potters have kept five clean sheets in their past six games but are seeking a first win in four at home, but a defeat could see them drop out of the top-10, depending on results elsewhere.

• Stoke have only enjoyed three wins in their past 15 league meetings with Middlesbrough (D5 L7), winning none of their last three against Boro (D1 L2).

• After their 3-1 win last season, Middlesbrough could win on back-to-back league visits to Stoke for only the second time in their history, previously doing so in March 1956.

• Stoke have won each of their past five home league matches played on a Wednesday, their best winning streak on this day of the week since December 1996 (6).

• Middlesbrough have only lost two of their past 13 away league matches on a Wednesday (W8 D3), defeats at Preston in February 2024 (1-2) and Sheffield United in February 2025 (1-3).

• Mark Robins has won six of his nine previous Championship home games against Middlesbrough as a manager (D1 L2), although did lose his only one as Stoke boss last season (1-3).

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Manchester United are eyeing a £30m deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, who could be reunited with former Boro boss Michael Carrick, while Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are reportedly also interested. (Manchester Evening News), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

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Kim Hellberg says "mentality" was the reason behind their dramatic win at West Bromwich Albion.

Boro looked to have squandered two points as Albion fought back from two down to draw level.

But Hellberg's side regained their composure, which allowed a fine move to set up Delano Burgzorg to score a 90th minute winner, a result which kept the Teessiders second in the league.

"The mentality of the players is the key thing here after the crowd goes unbelievably crazy," said the Swede.

"The game was almost done. We were controlling things and they scored a goal from almost nothing.

"They got a lot of energy and have some very good players and then [for us] to come back from that and score a winner in that way [was great].

"It was not a long ball, it was not lucky, it was a top quality goal in the 90th minute and that says everything about this group of lads."

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Middlesbrough full-back Lukas Engel has signed for Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake in a permanent deal.

The Dane spent most of 2025 in the US, making 39 appearances in a loan spell with FC Cincinnati.

Engel joined Boro in the summer of 2023 and played 53 games for the club in all competitions, scoring twice.

His last appearance was in a 2-0 home Championship win over West Bromwich Albion in January 2025.

Neither club have disclosed whether a fee was paid for the move.

Kim Hellberg says Middlesbrough's new arrivals Leo Castledine and Fin Munroe could feature at West Brom on Friday night (20:00 GMT).

Attacking midfielder Castledine arrived from Chelsea on 9 January after a stellar loan spell with League One Huddersfield while left-back Munroe, also 20, joined from Aston Villa on Thursday after impressing on loan at League Two Swindon.

Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees: "They are two young players that want to develop that suits the environment we have, I am happy with them.

"They are, I think, ready to play in the first team, we'll see if it comes to that [on Friday]. Both will travel, but we'll see.

"Leo you can see he is good playing around the box, scoring goals in different ways, good moving the ball, has power. He's a player who has done very good at Huddersfield and is now ready to take the next step.

"He suits us in more of a high central position, but we'll learn.

"Fin is a left-back, good up and down, good left foot, good physics."

Hellberg would not be drawn on reports linking Boro with Brighton midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento, adding: "We'll see what happens. It's more about working with what I have here."

The Swede said he had a "good conversation" with winger Sontje Hansen who was thought to be unhappy with his role, adding: "I don't think he meant what some people thought [on social media]. I don't make a big thing of that.

"He's been training good. We have had a good conversation. It's more about his taking his chances when he gets them."

Hellberg admitted it was tricky to know what to expect at The Hawthorns on Friday, with Eric Ramsay taking charge of his first game.

"It's difficult to understand what they are going to do," he said. "West Brom have been playing a certain way, with a certain structure for a long time. Quite offensive, good on the ball, they have performed quite well, even if they have not got the results.

"Minnesota played with a back five [under Ramsay] but it's difficult to know how much he will do or will want to change.

"It's a tricky situation. We prepare for different things and have to be aware of different set-ups but that has been almost a theme since I have been here. Teams try to find different structures to stop our offensive play."

Hellberg also revealed forwards Kaly Sene and David Strelec could return from injury lay-offs within 10 days, adding: "It's just a matter of time."

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

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Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento has emerged as a candidate for Middlesbrough.

BBC Sport understands that the Championship club are among those tracking the Ecuador international - who is currently on loan with Serie A club Cremonese - with several other sides from the second tier also understood to be keeping close tabs.

The 23-year-old has struggled to make an impact in Italy, having played only seven times in Serie A this season and is yet to score, with all seven of his appearances coming off the bench.

Sarmiento spent last season in the Championship with Burnley, where he played a key role in their promotion back to the Premier League. His performances there reinforced Brighton's belief in his long-term potential, but also highlighted how effective he can be with regular first-team football.

At this stage, it is unclear whether any potential move would be a loan or a permanent deal, with Sarmiento under contract at Brighton until June 2027 and discussions ongoing between clubs.

Image source, Opta

The Championship weekend and the Eric Ramsay era begin at The Hawthorns as West Bromwich Albion host Middlesbrough on Friday night (20:00 GMT).

The Baggies lost four of Ryan Mason's final five games in charge to slip to 18th, seven points above the drop-zone, but the other was a 2-1 win over QPR in their most recent home game on 29 December.

Boro ended a run of one point from four games with a 4-0 thrashing of Southampton last time out in the league on 4 January and still lie second, six points behind leaders Coventry and two ahead of third-placed Ipswich, who have played a game fewer.

• West Brom have won two of their past seven home league games against Middlesbrough (D2 L3), beating them in 2022/23 and 2023/24 under Carlos Corberan.

• Middlesbrough have won each of their past four league games against West Brom, as many victories as across their prior 15 matches against the Baggies combined (D4 L7).

• This will be the first game in charge of West Brom for manager Eric Ramsay, his first managerial job in English football. Only one of the last six permanent Baggies bosses have won their first league game in charge (D1 L4), a 1-0 win for Ryan Mason earlier this season against Blackburn Rovers. He'll also be the first Ramsay to manage in the Football League since George Ramsay in April 1926.

• Middlesbrough have lost their past two away league matches, failing to score in both. They haven't lost three in a row without scoring since a run of four between April and August 2017.

• West Bromwich Albion's Mikey Johnston has the most assists of any Championship player this season (9), assisting a goal in each of his past two games at the Hawthorns.

Middlesbrough have agreed terms to sign Brighton forward Jeremy Sarmiento. (Lorenzo Lepore), external

The winger is currently on loan at Serie A side Cremonese after helping Burnley win promotion to the Premier League last season.

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Middlesbrough have won the race for Aston Villa left-back Finley Munroe, 20, who has impressed on loan at League Two Swindon. (Pete O'Rourke, external)

Boro, Preston and Blackburn all sent scouts to watch 28-year-old Barnsley striker Davis Keillor-Dunn, who has 14 goals for the Tykes this season, in action against Liverpool on Monday night. (Pete O'Rourke, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Middlesbrough have won the race to sign Aston Villa defender Finley Munroe.

The 20-year-old is expected to sign a long-term deal at the Riverside after Boro agreed a deal of around £300,000 with Villa.

Bristol City also made an offer but the left-back is heading to the north east, with the deal also including a large sell-on fee.

Munroe will become Boro's second January signing after midfielder Leo Castledine joined the Championship promotion hopefuls from Chelsea last week.

He was recalled from his loan at Swindon on Monday ahead of his expected permanent move from Villa Park.

Munroe made 27 appearances for Swindon, scoring twice, with Ian Holloway's side second in League Two and five points behind leaders Bromley.

He joined Villa after leaving Chelsea's academy in 2021 and made two senior appearances for the club.

His debut came as a late substitute in the Europa Conference League semi-final defeat at Olympiakos, before coming on in the Premier League against Crystal Palace in May 2024.

They came after he signed a new contract while he spent last season on loan at Real Union, Villa's sister club in Spain.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough and Bristol City have made offers for Aston Villa defender Finley Munroe.

The Championship pair are fighting to sign the left-back who has been on loan at Swindon this season.

The Robins' bid is around £350,000, with Boro's offer around the same and includes a sell-on clause.

A move from Villa Park could be finalised this week as Munroe was recalled by Villa on Monday.

Munroe has made 27 appearances for Swindon, scoring twice, with Ian Holloway's side second in League Two, five points behind leaders Bromley.

The 20-year-old joined Villa after leaving Chelsea's academy in 2021.

He has made two senior appearances, making his debut as a late substitute in the Europa Conference League semi-final defeat at Olympiakos, before coming on against Crystal Palace in May 2024.

They came after he signed a new contract while he spent last season on loan at Real Union, Villa's sister club in Spain.

Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 pens) Nottingham Forest

• Preston North End 0-1 Wigan

• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Everton 1-1 (0-3 pens) Sunderland

• Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town

• Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough

• Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

• Newcastle 3-3 (7-6 pens) Bournemouth

• Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Bristol City 5-1 Watford

• Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

• Charlton 1-5 Chelsea

There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Cheltenham v Leicester (12:15) - BBC Radio Leicester

• Everton v Sunderland (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Macclesfield v Crystal Palace (12:15) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Manchester

• Wolves v Shrewsbury (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 & BBC Radio WM

• Boreham Wood v Burton Albion

• Burnley v Millwall - BBC Radio London

• Doncaster v Southampton - BBC Radio Solent

• Fulham v Middlesbrough - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Blackpool - BBC Radio Suffolk

• Man City v Exeter City - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle v Bournemouth - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 & BBC Radio Newcastle

• Salford P-P Swindon

• Sheff Wed v Brentford

• Stoke v Coventry - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Stoke & BBC Radio CWR

• Bristol City v Watford (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Three Counties Radio

• Cambridge United v Birmingham (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Grimsby v Weston (17:45)

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (17:45) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

• Charlton v Chelsea (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

It will be interesting to see what Fulham boss Marco Silva does here, with his team on such a good run of Premier League results. I hope he goes strong, to try to keep their momentum going.

Silva has good record in the FA Cup anyhow, reaching the quarter-final twice in the past three years. He has also never lost a third-round tie with any of the four English clubs he has managed, and I don't see that changing this weekend.

Middlesbrough got back on track with a big win over Southampton on Sunday but they hit a sticky patch over Christmas when their goals dried up and it is pretty obvious that their promotion bid will be the priority for their manager Kim Hellberg.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here