Positive reports on Middlesbrough strikers Ashley Fletcher and Chuba Akpom ahead QPR trip

Striker Ashley Fletcher was forced off with a knock during last week’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth but first-team assistant Kevin Blackwell says the issue wasn’t serious.

Boro could also hand a debut to new signing Chuba Akpom who joined the club from Greek club PAOK last week.

When asked about Fletcher’s injury, Blackwell said: “We took him off precaution-wise because Akpom had just come and we want to make sure we don’t lose people.

“We have a massive run of games coming up after the international break so any niggles we have to be precautionary and that’s what it was with Fletch.

“We will go in with a fully-fit squad on Saturday.”

Akpom told the press on Tuesday that he has settled in well at the Riverside and is looking forward to linking up with Fletcher and Assombalonga at Boro.

On Akpom, Blackwell added: “I have to say there’s a great feeling among the players, a great camaraderie, the dressing room is good and Akpom has slipped in very, very well.

“He’s a smashing lad, a good background, and he was desperate to get here weeks ago but the run in the Champions League meant he couldn’t come.

“We are delighted to have him here and are looking forward to integrating him into the team.”

Boro have been playing with two strikers in recent weeks, with Fletcher and club captain Britt Assombalonga leading the line.

If the Teessiders stick with a 3-5-2 formation, which they played against Watford and Bournemouth, only two strikers will fit into the system.

Yet Blackwell says the team could accommodate three strikers with a change of shape, especially as they are looking to bring in another frontman.

“If we stick with two strikers up top it will be two from three,” added Blackwell. “If we go three up top there is an opportunity for all three to play, it depends how we set up and the opposition we play against.

"We were desperate to create competition for places and with Chuba coming in that’s exactly what it’s done.”

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