How Rob Edwards can solve Middlesbrough issue amid injury woes ahead of Southampton

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Middlesbrough travel to struggling Southampton for their Championship clash on Saturday afternoon as Rob Edwards faces selection concerns.

All of the headlines surrounding table-topping Boro have been positive of late, and that continued with Middlesbrough’s 2-1 win against West Brom on Friday evening.

Rob Edwards has overseen Middlesbrough’s best start to a Championship season ever in their 149-year history, and he will be looking to continue their undefeated run at Southampton this weekend.

However, the first real cause for concern regarding Middlesbrough has arisen, with Edwards set to scramble for available central defenders against the Saints.

Middlesbrough are unable to sign free agents to solve their defensive injury crisis, but a temporary solution for the Saints clash is on the cards for Edwards.

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Sammy Silvera can help Rob Edwards’ Middlesbrough dilemma

Defensive trio Dael Fry, George Edmundson and Darragh Lenihan are doubts for the trip to Southampton due to injury, leaving Edwards with a stern selection headache.

Edmundson went off injured in the win against West Brom with a black eye after challenging for a header against Aune Heggebo.

Therefore, Edwards will likely return Sammy Silvera to his Middlesbrough starting XI against the Saints, in the left wing-back role.

With Luke Ayling impressing for Middlesbrough against West Brom as the right-sided centre-back of Edwards’ three, Newcastle United loanee Matt Targett should be more than capable of filling in similarly on the left despite being a natural full-back like Ayling.

Silvera started the season in stellar form for Middlesbrough at left wing-back, but the emergence of Targett has seen the New Zealand international feature for just 45 minutes in the last two games.

After impressing Edwards at the start of the season, Silvera may get his chance to do so again at Southampton.

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Rob Edwards believes Sammy Silvera is ‘more than capable’ at wing-back

Edwards gave an encouraging message to Silvera amid his struggles to get back into the starting XI, but with Boro’s injury woes, the youngster should get more minutes.

Edwards has been impressed by Silvera since the former Luton Town boss arrived at Teesside, with the natural winger taking to his new defensive role with an exemplary attitude.

“He remains an option for us there because he’s done so well,” Edwards told Teesside Live of Silvera.

“I’ve mentioned plenty how important it is to me to have players who can play two or three different positions. That gives them more opportunity to play first and foremost.

“Also, it allows us to show adaptability, game to game and also within games. Sammy has shown now, that he’s more than capable of playing that role at this level.”

Edwards added: “I’ve been really impressed and pleasantly surprised as well with how much he’s valued that side (learning the defensive side of the role).

“I think in particular, the Millwall game, where there were a lot of aerial duels and set-pieces to defend and stuff like that, he was really, really good. I’ve been delighted with how he’s valued that side of the game as well.”