The EFL rule change which could help Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich City and Middlesbrough's other Championship rivals

Starting from Boro’s home meeting with Norwich on Saturday, Neil Warnock will be able to make two additional substitutes per match.

Championship clubs will now be able to name nine players on the bench, but will have the opportunity to field five reinforcements throughout the game.

This is likely to benefit some of Boro’s league rivals, the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, who have bigger squads to choose from.

Boro, meanwhile, could only name six substitutes against Brentford last time out.

The rule change was confirmed today after Championship clubs had called for the increase – which will last until the end of the current campaign.

An EFL statement confirming the rule change reads: "Following consultation with Clubs, the EFL Board has agreed to increase the permitted number of substitutes to five in all Sky Bet EFL fixtures taking place from 12 noon on Friday 20 November for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.

“Regulation 33.4 has been amended to permit:

“Championship Clubs to name up to nine substitutes in their matchday squad, with five permitted to take to the pitch in any fixture.

“League One and League Two Clubs can name up to seven substitutes in their match day squad, again with five permitted to take to the pitch.”

Some Premier League clubs are keen to see a similar change arrive in the top flight, but there is resistance from some of the smaller clubs in the division.

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