The international break is finally over and the Championship is only days away from starting back up again.

This weekend sees Garry Monk’s Middlesbrough side travel to Bolton with the game considered a must win by both sets of fans.

On the one hand, Bolton are yet to win a game this season and are currently sat bottom of the Championship table on just two points.

Middlesbrough have had a better start than their weekend opponents but by their standards, they should be doing better.

Losses to Wolves and Nottingham Forest place Boro in ninth place in the table, already eight points behind the league leaders Cardiff.

With a win needed to kick start Boro’s season again, Monk will need to put his strongest side forward to ensure they pile more misery onto Bolton.

With that being said, here is the starting XI that Garry Monk should go for against Bolton this weekend.

Darren Randolph

 

In the opening five games this season, Darren Randolph has kept three clean sheets.

There is a reason why Monk keeps picking the veteran keeper, he's good, and there isn't another keeper at the club with the same mix of experience whilst not being too old.

Unless he suffers an injury setback, expect Randolph to feature in most if not all of Boro's league games this season.

Dael Fry

 

Despite his young age, Dael Fry has been trusted by his manager this season and that trust is paying off.

Fry didn't feature in the opening day defeat to Wolves and although he was a part of the team that lost to Nottingham Forest, he did provide the assists for Ben Gibson's goal to give his side hope.

The 20-year-old has the potential to grow into a key member of the starting XI this season.

Ryan Shotton

One of the new boys at the Riverside.

Ryan Shotton joined from Birmingham the day before the deadline and given the fact that Bolton most likely won't provide the most difficult of tests, Monk would be forgiven for giving Shotton his debut.

Standing at 6'2", the 28-year-old is a powerful defender who can be utilised well by his new manager.

Ben Gibson

The first name on the Middlesbrough team sheet without a doubt, Ben Gibson is the key figure in the heart of the Boro defence.

The 24-year-old has captained the side in all five of the opening league fixtures after the club only just kept hold of him during the transfer window.

Gibson is Middlesbrough and he is easily their best defender who can give the Bolton attack a tough day at the office.

Marvin Johnson

A high-profile signing for the club on deadline day last week, Marvin 'Magic' Johnson had a great season last year with Oxford and is looking to continue showing his class now that he has moved up a level to the Championship.

He's quick, a great crosser and finisher and will provide defensive cover for a thinly stretched defensive line.

Adam Clayton

Adam Clayton started 32 games in the Premier League last season with most of them coming as a defensive midfielder.

His concentration on the ball and ability to read the game and make an interception will be a big help to the three-man defence.

Jonathan Howson

 

An attack minded midfielder to partner Clayton, Jonathan Howson will be looking to help out and get involved in attacking moves against Bolton.

Howson will be expected to partake in the defensive work throughout the game but will have more freedom to move forward too.

Lewis Baker

The youngster on loan from Premier League champions Chelsea, Lewis Baker has started just one of the opening games this season but has been used from the bench in the other three since he has joined.

As an attacking midfielder, his passing has the potential to cut open the Bolton defence very quickly to start an attacking move for his side.

Adama Traore

Adama Traore looked set to leave during the most recent transfer window but promises of first team football from Garry Monk persuaded him to stay.

The 21-year-old is definitely a work in progress still but has so much untapped potential.

Given a consistent run this season, many of us here at FLW think he can set the league alight.

Rudy Gestede

 

Last season, after his move from Aston Villa, Rudy Gestede scored one goal in 16 games and provided no assists.

This season, Gested has one goal and two assists to his name as he settles down to life at the Riverside.

The 28-year-old has scored the second most amount of goals for Boro this season, behind only one man.

Britt Assombalonga

 

This man, new signing Britt Assombalonga is enjoying his time at Middlesbrough since his move from Nottingham Forest in July.

Two goals in the opening five games makes the 24-year-old the club's best striker, statistically speaking, so far this season so it is highly likely that Monk will be starting him against Bolton.

What do you think Middlesbrough fans? Let us know your starting XIs in the comments down below!