Second-placed Middlesbrough travel to The Hawthorns on Friday and could hand debuts to two important January signings when they face West Bromwich Albion.
Kim Hellberg’s side head into the clash just six points behind league leaders Coventry City and will arrive in the Midlands as firm favourites. Albion, however, will be lifted by the presence of a new head coach, with the match marking Eric Ramsay’s first game in charge of the Baggies.
Middlesbrough may also introduce new faces of their own. Earlier in the transfer window, Boro secured the signing of Chelsea midfielder Leo Castledine for a fee just under £1 million, following an impressive loan spell at Huddersfield Town in which he scored 12 goals. On Thursday, they added further depth by completing a £350,000 deal for Aston Villa left-back Finley Muroe.
Speaking ahead of the match, Hellberg praised both additions and suggested they could feature in Friday’s encounter.
“They’re two players who have done very well with their previous clubs,” he said. “They’re young, ambitious and want to develop, which fits perfectly with the environment we’ve built here.”
The Boro boss confirmed that both players will travel with the squad to The Hawthorns.
“I’m very happy with where they are. They’re ready to play, and then it’s about seeing whether the opportunity comes,” Hellberg added. “Both of them will travel and we’ll take it from there. Fin is a left-back who runs well up and down the pitch, has a strong left foot and good physical attributes. They’re two very good players.”
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