Tony Pulis to give youngsters a chance against Notts County in the Carabao Cup

Tony Pulis will ring the changes for Middlesbrough's Carabao Cup tie against Notts County at the Riverside tonight.
Middlesbrough's Marcus Tavernier.Middlesbrough's Marcus Tavernier.
Middlesbrough's Marcus Tavernier.

Boro have made a positive start to their Championship campaign, taking seven points from a possible nine, but Pulis is keen to give some of his younger players a chance against League Two opposition.

“I think we’ve got some very good young players here and it will be nice for them,” Pulis told the club's website.

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“I think the supporters will understand that the squad’s not massive and we’ll be making lots of changes for the Notts County game.

“The lads look fit, but we might have to make a few changes and there’s lots of youngsters pushing for places, and there’s people on the bench who will be given the opportunity and the chance to see what they’re made of.”

Pulis has trimmed his squad over the summer, enabling some of the club's academy graduates to step up into the first-team set-up.

Lewis Wing started against Sheffield United and Birmingham, while Marcus Tavernier and Harry Chapman have made appearances from the bench.

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Others, like defender Nathan Wood impressed during pre-season, and, after missing out on several transfer targets on deadline day, Pulis may have to rely on some of his younger players this season.

“We want to keep the momentum going, but I’m not going to flog these to death. I’m pretty confident the kids we’ve got will play well,” added Pulis

“Tav (Tavernier) came on Saturday, Harry (Chapman) nearly got on too, so people like that – let’s give them a chance to see what they’re like.”