The excitement of the opening weekend has subsided and it's quickly back to business as usual in the Premier League for Middlesbrough, ahead of Sunday's trip to Sunderland.
Boss Aitor Karanka was pleased with his side's 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the Riverside last weekend and the main focus this Sunday will be on his midfield.
Last season's captain and midfield general, Grant Leadbitter, has only just returned to light training after a hernia operation in the summer. Elsewhere, new signing Marten de Roon saw his debut against Stoke finish after 20 minutes when he pulled up with a hamstring injury, so he had little time to show his worth.