Championship: Boro Count On More Mikel Magic Vs Wigan; Ajayi Hunts For 3rd Goal, Etebo Targets First

Midfielder John Mikel Obi will once again be heavily relied upon when Middlesbrough continue their push for an automatic promotion spot in the English Championship with a visit to Wigan Athletic today, Completesports.com reports

Mikel has been quietly brilliant in the five Championship games he has featured in so far, immediately establishing himself as a very important member of Tony Pulis’s side.

The Super Eagles’ captain who is still under the radar of Aston Villa offers a sheet of steel in front of Boro’s backline with his experience and composure helping those behind him.

Middlesbrough have lost just a game the former Chelsea midfielder has taken part in, winning three and settling for a draw in his five league outings.

The 31-year-old has also started and finished four of those five matches for Boro who are on 57 points from 33 league matches as the Premier League promotion race hots up.

Nigerian star, Semi Ajayi will be looking to net his third Championship goal this season when Rotherham United host Blackburn Rovers in a crucial game at the New York Stadium today.

The defender grabbed his second goal of the 2018/19 Championship campaign in a 1-1 draw with Reading at the Madejski Stadium last Saturday.

Ajayi has played each and every minute of all 34 league matches this term, bagging two yellow cards and two goals for the relegation-threatened Millers who are 22nd in the table on 30 points.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Oghenekaro Etebo is set for his 20th start in 25 league appearances for Stoke City who will welcome Nottingham Forest to the Bet365 Stadium also today.

The midfielder who bagged a yellow card in the 57th minute in Stoke City’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend is still searching for his first goal or assist, and has received four cautions and a red card.

By Oluyemi Ogunseyin