Middlesbrough seek to avoid FA Cup humiliation when they face non-league Barrow on Saturday.
Boro must be wary of plucky non-league outfit
Middlesbrough seek to avoid FA Cup humiliation when they face non-league Barrow in the third round on Saturday.
Boro have hit a slump in their Premier League endeavours of late and will welcome the distraction of knockout competition.
They have lost their last three top-flight fixtures, while they have failed to secure a victory in eight attempts.
Gareth Southgate's men will not be taking anything for granted this weekend, though, as they did require a replay to get past Nuneaton Borough in 2006.
The Teessiders came up short against Cardiff last year and have been beaten by the eventual losing finalists in each of the last four seasons.
Barrow, meanwhile, are looking to create history as they go in search of a place in the fourth round draw for the first time in their 108-year existence.
The Blue Square Premier outfit last reached this stage back in 1991, when they fell to Bolton.
The chances of them going one better this time around do not look promising though.
There are 94 places separating the two teams on football's pyramid, while Barrow have claimed just one win from the seven games which have followed their second round success over Brentford.
Boro options
Boro boss Southgate is expected to give a number of his squad players a rare start this weekend.
Brad Jones is poised to replace first-choice goalkeeper Ross Turnbull while Dutch winger Marvin Emnes is on the verge of making only his second Boro start since signing from Sparta Rotterdam in the summer.
Matthew Bates' fine comeback display at right-back against Manchester United on Monday could earn him a second start of the season at the expense of Tony McMahon, who missed the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford due to the birth of his baby son.
Meanwhile, Mido (groin) and Adam Johnson (hamstring) are both doubtful.
Barrow boost
For Barrow, management duo David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan have received a timely boost ahead of their trip to the Riverside Stadium.
Wayne Curtis, signed on-loan from Morecambe, is available for action having not featured in the competition this year for his parent club.
The striker will be desperate to make a good impression against top-flight opposition, especially as he is a Barrow local and will be well aware of what the game means to the club's supporters.
Another loanee, Alan Martin, will also hope to be given a run out on Saturday.
The Scotland U21 international keeper is on loan from League One outfit Leeds and will relish the opportunity to prove himself on the big stage.
