Middlesbrough welcome Queens Park Rangers to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, as they look to propel themselves up the table into the coveted top six spots.

Garry Monk's men currently occupy ninth spot in the Sky Bet Championship table, having accumulated 11 points from their first seven league games, in what has been a mixed start from the Teesside outfit.

Boro played out a 0-0 stalemate draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Tuesday night, and were lucky to come away with a point, as Steve Bruce's side dominated throughout.

The side were struck with an early blow as exciting winger Adama Traore was sent off after just four minutes of the match against Villa, so he'll be unavailable for their next match with QPR on Saturday.

Monk decided to utilise a 4-4-1-1 formation against Villa in the week, with Randolph between the sticks, a back four of Christie, Fry, Gibson and Fabio, a midfield four of Traore, Leadbitter, Clayton and Downing, with Baker playing just behind Assombalonga up-front.

It's clear that something was missing for Boro on Tuesday night, so Monk should revert back to 4-3-3 for the club's match with QPR on the weekend.

£3.15m-rated winger Stewart Downing should be dropped for the clash with the R's on Saturday, and subsequently replaced by Marvin Johnson on the wing.

The 26-year-old former Oxford United winger has a point to prove to Garry Monk and the Riverside faithful, and Saturday against Ian Holloway's QPR is the perfect platform for him to exhibit his qualities.

Here's the full 4-3-3 XI Boro should field on Saturday against the west London outfit:

Boro fans.... What do you make of this 4-3-3 XI? Let us know below!