Brittain off disciplinary tightrope

IN a boost for Middlesbrough amid their defensive injury crisis, Callum Brittain has successfully negotiated the disciplinary tightrope to avoid a suspension for five yellow cards.

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Having picked up his fourth caution of the campaign when protesting the penalty Boro conceded at Leicester City, Brittain has been playing Boro's last five games knowing that he'd have to serve a one-match suspension if he picked up another yellow.

The good news is that the five-yellow card suspension rule ends after the 19th game of the season in the Championship, which for Boro was Friday night's victory at Hull City.