Middlesbrough's new defender Ashley Phillips has been ruled out of the Carabao Cup second-round tie against Doncaster Rovers. Manager Kim Hellberg confirmed the news stating the 21-year-old is not yet ready for match action ahead of Tuesday's away trip.
Doncaster Rovers, currently 20th in League One with two points from three games, will host the Championship side at their stadium. The League One outfit have scored three goals but conceded four this season, leaving them five points behind early leaders Blackpool. Their next league match is a home fixture against Plymouth Argyle on September 5th.
Kim Hellberg provided a clear update on the player's condition. "I don't think [Doncaster], maybe next Saturday," the Middlesbrough boss said. "He's a bit away." This indicates Phillips is still in a fitness-building phase following his recent transfer. The centre-back joined Middlesbrough from Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year deal after spending last season on loan at Stoke City. He made 44 appearances for Stoke across all competitions, with 40 of those coming in the league.
The defender is a product of the Blackburn Rovers academy. He moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 and was subsequently loaned to Plymouth Argyle before his extended spell at Stoke City, where he played 83 matches in total. His arrival at Middlesbrough follows the departure of defender Dael Fry to Birmingham City. Phillips is expected to compete for a starting position with the likes of Luke Ayling, Adilson Malanda, and Alfie Jones once fully integrated.
The cup match arrives during a challenging start to the league campaign for Doncaster. Their recent form reads DDL, and they sit near the bottom of the League One standings. Facing a Championship opponent in the Carabao Cup represents a tough test, though it also offers a break from league pressures. Fans can view the full schedule on the club's fixtures page.
Middlesbrough began their campaign with two home victories against Wrexham and Lincoln City. They then suffered a 2-1 away defeat to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship. Their next league outing is against West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium. Hellberg's side are likely to be patient with Phillips, easing him into the team when he reaches full fitness. The manager's comments suggest a potential debut could come next weekend.
Middlesbrough supporters are eager to see their new signing in action, but they will have to wait at least until after the cup tie. The club's current player roster is available to view on the official squad list. Doncaster Rovers will aim to capitalise on any disruption in the Middlesbrough lineup when the two teams meet on Tuesday evening.
