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Middlesbrough predicted team for Wrexham with Max Arfsten decision and other debutants How we think Middlesbrough will line-up against Wrexham on Friday evening With the ghosts of that nightmare day at Wembley firmly in the rearview mirror, Middlesbrough’s latest attempts to return to the Premier League start now. Boro host Wrexham this evening in the first competitive game of the new season. It may be a Carabao Cup first round tie, but boss Kim Hellberg is looking to use it to set an early standard for the promotion push. Boro could field four of their five summer signings, with only Myles Peart-Harris absent through injury for this one. They are also without David Strelec, Riley McGree, Tommy Conway and Alex Bangura. With Hellberg admitting he has one eye on Lincoln City next weekend, and with decisions to be made on new signing Max Arfsten, here’s our first predicted team of the new campaign. GK - Sol Brynn - Brynn will soon face fierce competition for his spot from Radek Vitek, who arrived from Manchester United. This will be the Teessider's chance to play and try and earn his place. DR - Callum Brittain - We’re expecting a strong team from Hellberg to prepare for next weekend. Brittain is Boro’s only senior right-back. DC - Luke Ayling - Alfie Jones has been back in training this week and Ashley Phillips will add to Boro’s centre-back depth. But Jones is unlikely to be risked so soon after his return from the start. So Ayling will start. DC - Adilson Malanda - And in keeping with our feeling that Hellberg goes strong on Friday evening, Ayling will be partnered by Malanda, who will have a big role to play this season. DL - Neto Borges - Hellberg noted how Arfsten was midway through an MLS season as he joins Boro and is therefore physically ready. But the Boro boss also noted that he’d want to use this game to get him prepared for next Saturday. Our thinking is he does that from the bench, with Borges starting. CM - Aidan Morris - With Hayden Hackney gone, Morris takes on a role of increased significance this season. He stepped up massively towards the end of last term and now, with two USA team-mates alongside him, many are predicting a big season ahead. CM - Sebastian Berhalter - Speaking of which, Berhalter is our pick for Boro’s first full debutant. He looked like he'd been in the Boro team for years against Espanyol. Now, against a good Championship side in Wrexham, he gets his first big test. RW - Morgan Whittaker - Last season’s top scorer has some serious competition for the same award this season. Hopefully that will help the hot-then-cold wide man find more consistency this term. AM - Leo Castledine - Castledine couldn't have hoped for a better final warm-up. He impressed and scored a brace last weekend against Espanyol, pretty much guaranteeing his inclusion in this one, fitness permitting. Hellberg is expecting big things from him this year. LW - Jeremy Sarmiento - Academy star Fin Cartwright got a run out against Espanyol, but our thinking is Hellberg going strong for this one. It’s a big season for Sarmiento, with a lot for him to prove. With injuries in mind, it’s a good chance to give him an opportunity. ST - Will Lankshear - The first signs were positive on Lankshear. Though he didn’t get his goal against Espanyol, he completely transformed Boro’s attack. He’ll be Boro’s second debutant, with David Strelec and Tommy Conway out, and Joseph only fit for the bench. ------------- Get Teesside Live Premium now for just £1 HERE – exclusive Boro news and features, transfer notebooks, comment and analysis from Eric Paylor, plus an ad-lite experience Join our WhatsApp community to get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. Your information will be hidden, you'll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.