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Join us for Monday's Middlesbrough news and views.

It's the start of week two of the international break and attention is quickly shifting to two massive games for Boro.

Hull City visit the Riverside this weekend before Barnsley, who are still without a manager, are in town a week on Wednesday.

We take a look ahead to those games today, as well as discussing the other major talking points in the Championship.

There's a bit of transfer gossip and manager news, with reports claiming Tony Pulis rejected Cardiff.

We'll also have a look at what happened to some of the players who were linked with Boro in the summer.

Join Dominic Shaw for Boro updates throughout the day.

Thanks for following

Thanks for joining us on the blog today.

Here’s your recap:

  • 6 attackers linked with Boro in the summer and what happened next HERE.
  • Pulis ‘turned down Cardiff because he’s keen on two other jobs’ HERE.
  • Papers: Leeds view on Ayala reports & in-form striker linked HERE.
  • Losing just one of key trio could cause massive problems for Boro HERE.
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Video looking ahead at crucial games

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Harris faces press for first time

Neil Harris was unveiled as Cardiff manager this morning and spoke to the press for the first time.

It’s a privilege to be here. A great opportunity.

I left Millwall seven weeks ago and recharged the batteries.

This is a wonderful job to come into, following Neil who did a fantastic job here. I’ve got a wonderful group of players who have achieved individually and collectively.

I want to get to know the players, meet all the staff and try to get across my principles in a short space of time.

It’s a tough week because we’ve got players away and we have to prepare for the three games next week. New to the job and to the area, the change is vast. I know the principles of the fans, I’ve played here myself.

Cardiff City's new manager Neil Harris
Cardiff City's new manager Neil Harris (Image: PA)
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Losing just one of key trio could cause massive problems for Boro

In his column this week, Eric Paylor writes:

The key to Boro’s ongoing Championship future next summer may rest with the club’s defenders.

So it’s a little alarming to see other clubs being linked with the likes of Daniel Ayala, George Friend and Ryan Shotton.

Bearing in mind the way in which results have gone lately, these three players, when fit, have a massive role to play in maintaining the backbone of the team.

The fact that they are currently out of contract at the end of the season has led to them becoming potential targets from outside in January.

The exact moment when new contracts are put on the table can depend on so many things, particularly what the future holds for the club.

It can be a dodgy business yet you can’t blame Boro for putting the matter on the back burner for the time being, especially taking into account the club’s overall financial situation.

There’s more HERE.

Jonathan Woodgate and Robbie Keane applaud Middlesbrough's fans at QPR
Jonathan Woodgate and Robbie Keane applaud Middlesbrough's fans at QPR (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
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In-form striker linked

Boro are one of six Championship clubs to have been linked with Livington forward Lyndon Dykes.

The 24-year-old Aussie has been in good form in Scotland this season, scoring five goals in 14 appearances. Four of those goals have come in his last eight outings, including a strike in a surprise win over Celtic.

Dykes’ form is turning heads on the club and international scene.

According to reports, Boro, Cardiff, Swansea, Derby, Blackburn and Bristol City are all keeping tabs on the striker, who has been praised by Steven Gerrard this season.

There’s more HERE.

Lyndon Dykes pictured scoring for Livingston
Lyndon Dykes pictured scoring for Livingston (Image: West Lothian Courier)
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Leeds view on Ayala reports

You’ll have read or heard about the reported Leeds interest in Daniel Ayala by now, no doubt.

They’re one of the clubs who have been linked with a January move for the defender, who is out of contract at the Riverside next summer.

However, Beren Cross, who covers the club for Leeds Live, says the Spaniard isn’t on United’s radar.

There’s more HERE.

Boro's Daniel Ayala
Boro's Daniel Ayala (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
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Pulis 'turned down Cardiff because he's keen on two other jobs'

Tony Pulis was reportedly offered the Cardiff City job but turned it down because he’s holding out for a Premier League club and has his eyes on two potential vacancies.

The Bluebirds appointed Neil Harris over the weekend, with the former Millwall boss replacing Neil Warnock.

He’s faced the press for the first time this morning.

There’s more on the Pulis story HERE.

Tony Pulis during his time in charge of Boro
Tony Pulis during his time in charge of Boro (Image: Getty Images)
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'We all want to fight for the shirt, we've got faith in Woodgate'

Britt Assombalonga says:

“You look at the table and we’re down there, there’s no hiding from that. The only way we can improve things is by working as hard as we can. We need to keep pushing, take it step by step and focus on the next two games.

“I think everyone here wants to fight for the shirt. Everyone here has got a good mentality, and it definitely helps that the manager has faith in us. We’ve got faith in him.”

There’s more from Boro’s top scorer HERE.

Britt Assombalonga
Britt Assombalonga (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)
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On the back page today

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Foodbank collection at the Riverside

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Good morning

Hello and good morning.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Week two of the international break. It’ll soon be Sunday.

Boro fans
Boro fans (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
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