Middlesbrough are confident that they will have Adama Traore available for Friday night’s clash with Leeds United in the Sky Bet Championship, with the Teessiders hopeful the forward’s four-match ban will be overturned.  

A report in the Northern Echo has confirmed that Boro will be lodging an appeal to the FA over Traore’s suspension, with the Championship club confident that the red card will be overturned and the influential forward will be available to face Leeds at the Riverside Stadium on Friday.

Traore saw red in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, receiving an instant dismissal after clashing with Bryan Oviedo in the penalty area.

A further altercation as he left the field could also work against Traore, who will serve a four-match suspension, as Saturday’s dismissal was his second of the 2017/18 season.

At this current time, Traore is set to miss Friday’s huge clash with Leeds, where Tony Pulis’ side have the opportunity to knock a play-off rival further out of contention, as well as fixtures against Birmingham City, Barnsley and Brentford.

So far this season, Traore has made 26 appearances across all competitions, with the 22-year-old scoring three goals and adding four assists.

The Verdict

Friday’s clash with Leeds is huge, and if Boro can pick up three points, they will all but end Leeds’ play-off hopes, whilst in the process boost their own.

Traore has been key for Boro this season, and his availability on Friday would be a huge boost for Pulis’ side, who will be hurting after dropping a huge two points against Sunderland.

The 22-year-old is Boro’s in-form player heading into this next run of fixtures, and it would be a massive blow to not have the forward available.

Middlesbrough fans… Let us know your thoughts!