Bangura is in at left-back instead of Engel, who misses out with a foot injury. Rav van den Berg replaces Paddy McNair at right-back, with the Northern Ireland international on the bench having been struggling with a niggle.

O’Brien makes his first start for Boro, while Marcus Forss and Matt Crooks also come into the side, with Morgan Rogers, Sammy Silvera and Isaiah Jones dropping out.

If Boro are lining up in their usual 4-2-3-1 shape, O’Brien looks likely to be starting on the left side, with Crooks as the No.10 supporting Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Alternatively, there’s the possibility Carrick has switched to more of a 4-3-3 formation, with O’Brien joining Jonny Howson and Hayden Hackney in midfield.

Sam Greenwood is among the substitutes.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Dieng, van den Berg, Fry, Lenihan, Bangura; Howson, Hackney, O’Brien, Forss, Crooks, Latte Lath

Substitutes: Glover, Barlaser, McGree, Rogers, Jones, McNair, Silvera, Coburn, Greenwood

BLACKBURN: Pears, Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering, A.Wharton, Travis, Szmodics, Hedges, Dolan Gallagher

Substitutes: Wahlstedt, Rankin-Costello, Hill, S.Wharton, Garrett, Moran, Markanday, Leonard, Telalovic