Team News: Saido Berahino drops to West Bromwich Albion bench

Saido Berahino sits on the bench prior to the game between West Brom and Stoke on January 2, 2016
© Getty Images
Tony Pulis makes three alterations to his West Bromwich Albion starting lineup, while Aitor Karanka is forced into his solitary change for today's Premier League clash.

Saido Berahino has been left out of West Bromwich Albion's starting lineup as one of three changes for the visit of Middlesbrough.

The 23-year-old's future at The Hawthorns remains in the balance with three days of the transfer window left to run, having been linked heavily with a move away.

Jonas Olsson and Craig Gardner are the other two players to make way for the Baggies from last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Everton.

Loanee Brendan Galloway has overcome an injury concern to start in defence, meanwhile, joining James McClean and Sam Field as the trio to come into the side.

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka, who has seen his side take four points from their first two games on their return to this level, is forced into making one change to his starting XI.

A calf injury has led to George Friend dropping out of the squad altogether, although there is a welcome return for Daniel Ayala in the heart of defence to replace him.

Jordan Rhodes, David Nugent and Albert Adomah all miss out once again for Boro, with the latter dropping out of the squad completely for the trip to the West Midlands.

West Brom are unbeaten in their last six league and cup games against Middlesbrough, winning the last four of those meetings and scoring 11 unanswered goals in the process.

West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Galloway; Phillips, Yacob, Fletcher, Field, McClean; Rondon
Subs: Rose, Olsson, Gardner, Lambert, Berahino, Leko, Wilson

Middlesbrough: Guzan; Nsue, Gibson, Ayala, Barragan; Clayton, Forshaw; Stuani, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo
Subs: Konstantopoulos, Bernardo, Rhodes, Reach, Fischer, De Sart, Nugent

Follow all of the action as it unfolds at The Hawthorns with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

Valencia's forward Alvaro Negredo celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League playoff football match between AS Monaco FC vs Valencia CF, at the Louis II Stadium, in Monaco, on August 25, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City33009369
2Chelsea33007259
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd33006159
4Everton32104227
5Hull City32014226
6Middlesbrough31203215
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs31203215
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10West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom31112204
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20Stoke CityStoke301226-41
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