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Middlesbrough will need all hands on deck to continue their impressive start to the campaign.
Rob Edwards’ side remain unbeaten so far in the 2025/26 Championship season after an outstanding start.
Middlesbrough drew 2-2 at Preston North End on Saturday to end their winning streak, but optimism is still rife regarding the league leaders.
On Friday evening, Middlesbrough face West Brom as Ryan Mason’s side look to return to winning ways following their defeat against Derby County.
Unfortunately for one sidelined Middlesbrough star, the Baggies visit will come too soon on his injury return timeline, but Edwards believes he will have a big part to play later this season.
Rob Edwards promises ‘major Middlesbrough role’ to Riley McGree
Middlesbrough forward Riley McGree has suffered a torrid time with injuries over recent seasons, with several periods in the treatment room limiting him to just 25 starts from 92 Championship outings in the last two campaigns.
Australian international McGree shone under Michael Carrick, and was fully fit at the start of pre-season amid Edwards’ arrival, but suffered yet another cruel injury setback in the friendly defeat at Bradford in July.
McGree has not featured since, but the versatile forward has been promised minutes and a “major role” at Middlesbrough by Edwards when the former Birmingham City loanee returns from the sidelines this season.
As quoted by the Northern Echo, Edwards said: “What we’re trying to work on now is the movement and strength side and making sure he’s (McGree) at his strongest and most fluid so he can go out and replicate what he’s done for this football club before.
| Statistic | Riley McGree for Middlesbrough |
| Appearances | 100 |
| Goals/Assists | 15/11 |
“Riley is a really good player but what I don’t want to do is put too much pressure on now because he’s working really hard.
“We still have 40-odd games to go so he can still play a major role.”
McGree is making great strides to return to contention, but given the form of Middlesbrough’s attackers this season, he may find it hard to break back into Edwards’ XI.
Riley McGree faces competition for Middlesbrough minutes
With Middlesbrough recruiting several supremely talented attacking players in the summer window, and with many already at the club, McGree has a battle on his hands to displace some of Edwards’ starters.
Edwards added: “He’s desperate to play for the club. He loves representing the football club and he will do.
“But we have some real strength in depth in those areas so I’m not having to push the medical team.
“He’s pushing, he’s working hard but I’m not having to put added pressure on.
“I caught him this morning and said we need a catch up, so we’ll get some time this week. We’ll do that.”
Manchester City loanee Sverre Nypan shone for Middlesbrough at Preston, and Boro fans are desperate to see more of £6.5m signing David Strelec going forward.
As Edwards explained, Boro have “real strength in depth” in their attacking ranks, but McGree certainly deserves his chance to impress the Middlesbrough boss when finally fully fit again after his tireless efforts to emerge from the sidelines.