Positive news: Middlebrough FC all-time great player has declared his return.

Positive news: Middlebrough FC all-time great player has declared his return.

Luke Ayling’s expected comeback will instill confidence in a Middlesbrough defense that needs to turn things around in Sunday’s exciting rivalry.

Ayling’s maturity and experience will ease the pressure on a back line that was left exposed in the Stamford Bridge heatwave. It’s obvious that Michael Carrick has already stressed how important it will be for the defense to be disciplined and compact over the second half of the season.

When the transfer window opened, he promptly recruited Ayling, and he has since added Luke Thomas to the team. Thomas has undoubtedly been brought in to cover for Boro’s worries on the injured Alex Bangura. Thomas should receive a lot of games, which will increase Lukas Engel’s competitiveness.

The Dane has undoubtedly progressed more than any other player for Boro this season, and his passion and devotion to the group as a whole are unmatched. However, Engel still has a few defensive lapses to overcome. It would be unfortunate if Thomas establishes himself as the starting left back and drastically cuts into Engel’s playing time.

Even though it didn’t seem that way against Chelsea, Boro has plenty of defensive options, especially when it comes to playing at the Championship level. Since I did not anticipate that Rav van den Berg would play as much football as he has, I have already stated that he is my player of the season thus far.

Tommy Smith’s injury early in the season provided Van den Berg with an opportunity. He has since demonstrated his value as a full-back and center-back. Dael Fry is supposed to keep everything together, so it’s a good thing Matt Clarke has entered the picture and gained some perspective.