Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate bemoans absence of key duo for Leeds United clash
BOSS JONATHAN Woodgate admits Middlesbrough remain minus the services of "two big players" for Wednesday's hosting of Leeds United.
Centre-back Daniel Ayala and Manchester City loanee winger Patrick Roberts both remain sidelined ahead of the Championship showdown against Marcelo Bielsa's Whites.
Ayala is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in the 2-0 win at Preston North End on New Year's Day while Roberts tore his hamstring in the 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham City on January 21.
Roberts is expected to be missing until the end of March and while Ayala is nearing a return, the centre-back will not feature against the Whites.
Fourth-bottom Boro have not won since the 29-year-old Spaniard became injured.
“I can make changes but I’ve still got two big players out in Ayala and Roberts," said Woodgate at his pre-match press conference.
“We haven’t won since Ayala’s been out of the team.
"Ayala has been a big miss, he’s a top player, hopefully we get him back soon, I need players who maybe aren’t 100 per cent, who are maybe 90 per cent, 85 per cent - I need them to play.
“I’m a massive fan of Patrick, he’s the type of player who can unlock defences and Ayala’s been a massive miss.”
Dutch defender Anfernee Dijksteel is another absentee for Boro with the 23-year-old recovering from a knee injury.