Middlesbrough have announced the starting line up for their Championship clash against Preston North End, which has drawn mixed responses from fans of the club.

Boro will be hoping to put Saturday’s dismal display against Sheffield Wednesday behind them, as they were hammered 4-1 by the Owls.

With that in mind, Jonathan Woodgate has made a number of changes to the side that started on the weekend.

Club stalwart Daniel Ayala comes in at centre-back to make his 200th appearance for Boro, with Ryan Shotton moving to left-back and Marc Bola dropping to the bench.

In midfield, Jonny Howson comes in for Lewis Wing, perhaps with a view to shoring up the centre of the park against fifth-place Preston.

Woodgate has made two changes to his forward line, with Marcus Tavernier and Marcus Browne both starting and Ashley Fletcher and Marvin Johnson dropping to the bench.

Boro have lost two in a row in the Championship and face a difficult test against Preston this evening, with Alex Neil’s side having scored the joint-most goals in the division.

Woodgate’s changes have proved controversial amongst many Boro fans and drawn mixed responses.

Read the reactions of fans of the North East club here:

[freshpress-poll ]