Overview

• Rob Edwards says Darragh Lenihan has an Achilles injury on the opposite foot and will be sidelined for a number of weeks rather than the season.
• George Edmundson has no structural eye damage after a head knock, has trained all week, and is available for the trip to Southampton.
• Dael Fry’s calf issue makes Saturday too soon, but he has rejoined light training and could come back next week if progress continues.
• In last weekend’s win over West Brom, defensive shortages forced Matt Targett to fill in at centre-back after Edmundson’s early withdrawal.
• Edwards points to Boro’s best league start in 149 years and a shared armband among Dael Fry, Aidan Morris and Luke Ayling as the squad manages absences.