Kante wasn't risked... but fate awaits other notable absentees

ABDOULAYE Kante missed Middlesbrough's victory over Sheffield United with a slight groin issue that head coach Rob Edwards is not expecting to be serious.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

The summer signing was absent from the Boro squad as Tommy Conway's second-half strike ensured they continued their fine start to the season.

Four wins from four has put Edwards' men top of the league as we head into the international break.

Explaining why Kante missed out on a place on the bench, Edwards said: “Alpha has a little bit of a groin issue. It was a strange one. He texted the physios after training on Tuesday evening and said he was a bit sore. We'll see how he is but we just didn't want to risk him. I don't think he'll be too long.”

The same could not be said of other notable absentees on Saturday, with Alex Bangura and Riley McGree the only other omissions that could be put down to injury.