Spotlight on... Middlesbrough

We welcome Middlesbrough to north London on Tuesday night for our FA Cup third round replay (8.05pm kick-off).

The original tie, played out on 5 January at the Riverside, finished 1-1 with Lucas Moura equalising for us on 61 minutes after our hosts had taken the lead through Ashley Fletcher 11 minutes earlier.

This will be Boro’s first visit to N17 since February, 2017 – we won that Premier League meeting 1-0 thanks to a Harry Kane penalty.

Team news

Striker Britt Assombalonga remains unavailable for Boro as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

The Championship outfit will also be without Daniel Ayala, Anfernee Dijksteel, Ryan Shotton and George Friend who all remain out with injuries.

Boro’s form

Since earning the 1-1 draw with us in the original third round tie on 5 January, Middlesbrough have faced just one game in the Championship. That was on Saturday as they drew 2-2 at home to Derby County. Having taken an early lead through Lewis Wing, the Teesside outfit were pegged back at the start of the second half by Jason Knight but then quickly got themselves back in front through Paddy McNair’s penalty on 67 minutes. However, the points were ultimately shared at the Riverside as Duane Holmes fired home from distance for the Rams in injury time.

One to watch

A player who was on top form against us in the original tie was Jonny Howson. A midfielder by trade but as versatile as they come on the pitch, Howson is able to fill in across the midfield and has deputised at both centre-back and right-back for his side this season - something which earned him many plaudits after our 1-1 draw at the Riverside as he turned out at full-back. Having started his career with his local side Leeds United in 2006, Howson moved to Norwich City in 2012 before then joining Middlesbrough in 2017. A hard worker on the pitch, the former England Under-21 international has also captained Boro in both of their last two games following injuries to George Friend and Daniel Ayala.

Last five meetings

5 January, 2020 – Boro 1-1 Spurs – FA Cup third round
4 February, 2017 – Spurs 1-0 Boro – Premier League
24 September, 2016 – Boro 1-2 Spurs – Premier League
4 March, 2009 – Spurs 4-0 Boro – Premier League
16 August, 2008 – Boro 2-1 Spurs – Premier League

Played for both

A graduate of our youth system, Luke Young played for us at senior level for three years before later appearing for Middlesbrough in the 2007/08 season. Progressing from our Academy to the first team at White Hart Lane, Luke made 75 appearances for us between 1998 and 2001 before departing for Charlton Athletic.

It was at the Valley where the defender earned all seven of his England caps and where he spent the next six years of his career before he moved to the Riverside for a single campaign. The full-back then had spells at Aston Villa and QPR before retiring from the game in 2014.

Pictures from the past

Match data

Venue – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Opposition colours - Red shirts, white shorts, red socks.

Referee – Craig Pawson.

Weather forecast – Strong breeze with showers, 13 degrees.