Friendlies will give us first glimpse of Edwards' Boro

NO NEW FACES BUT PLENTY TO LEARN

- By CRAIG JOHNS [e-mail] @craig_johns

WE get our first look of Rob Edwards’ Middlesbrough today as they travel to Mansfield Town to take on the League One side.

In what is Boro's first public-facing preseason friendly of Edwards’ tenure, it follows last weekend's narrow defeat to Portuguese top-tier outfit Santa Clara in what was a behind-closed-doors training game to wrap up what was described as a positive training camp on the continent.

With Edwards now targeting positive performances in the upcoming friendlies on UK soil while appreciating that first impressions matter, there will be plenty of intrigue around Boro’s upcoming matches before hosting Swansea City on the first day of the season.

Here’s a breakdown of what we can expect to learn in the next three weeks.

Transfer needs

Boro are still seeking their first incoming transfer of the summer transfer window, but are progressing on a number of fronts. As the season draws ever closer though, the sooner new faces arrive the better.