Loughborough University are Boro's opponents this week the FA Futsal League.  Once again, Boro travel to Sheffield, the central venue for the FA Futsal League North, to play a "home" match against the British University Champions.  BoroFutsal.com looks at the game ahead.

Middlesbrough v Loughborough University
FA Futsal League
Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield
22 February, KO 13:15 GMT

Form guide:  Middlesbrough drew 5-5 in an away match against the strong Sheffield FC in their opening match of the season and Loughborough haven't played a game yet.  Boro could have won comfortably against Sheffield and will be hoping to improve on a draw.  Loughborough will have been in action defending their BUCS title, but as results have not been published by BUCS yet, no form guide can be given.

Head to head:

The only two University futsal champions have met only once in the past, as Loughborough knocked out the defending champions Teesside on their way to the BUCS Futsal Championship.  Loughborough finished 3rd the year Teesside stormed to victory.

27th April 2008  Loughborough University 4-3 University of Teesside 

Ins and outs:  Boro are missing David Herbert (work), Nick Hamblin (Referee course) and Joe Hilton (wrist).  Lee Armes may make a comeback this Sunday to bulk up the squad.  The travelling squad will be from: Holmes, Withers, Prosser, Kilbride, Roberts, Leyshon (c), Dalghus, Rashid, Armes, Al-Harthi and Wootton. 

Star man:  Michael Skubala.  Player/coach "Skoobs" has bags of experience and has captained Great Britain.

Other matches:  Sheffield & Hallamshire v Barsa (Leeds), Manchester v Sheffield

Football:  Middlesbrough host Wigan Athletic after a promising away draw with West Ham in the FA Cup.  Loughborough FC play away against Melton MBS in the North Leicestershire Football League.

Club

Middlesbrough

1. Beat Barsa 10-1 in their first home game of last season.
2. Are unbeaten in two FA Futsal League matches.
3. Have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five league games.
4. Celebrates its second birthday on 23rd February.
5. Lost 7-2 to Ipswich Wolves last year on 23rd February.

1. Finished third in 2008 in the Midlands league with 15 points.
2. Would have finished below Boro with 15 points in the North.
3. Are British University Champions.

Players

1. Ryon Leyshon is two goals away from becoming the all-time top goalscorer for Boro (in all matches).
2. Leyshon scored in the fateful semi-final defeat to Loughborough last year.
3. Wootton is Boro's leading league goalscorer this season with 3.
4. Jason Kilbride is the only ever-present for Boro in FA Futsal League matches.