Slovakia’s David Strelec plan is good news for Middlesbrough after Kim Hellberg plea

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg is hoping striker David Strelec avoids injury while representing Slovakia during the international break. Strelec joined the national squad for Nations League matches against the Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan after making his first Championship start of the season in a weekend draw against Watford.

Strelec previously missed four matches for Middlesbrough following an injury picked up during the prior international break. Slovakia manager Vladimír Weiss selected an experimental squad featuring eight forwards, which may help manage Strelec's minutes as he looks to build fitness and momentum without further setbacks.