Preston North End told Middlesbrough's main concern but warning fired amid Liverpool excitement

Preston North End are back on the road, in the Championship, this weekend as they face Middlesbrough.

Here, The Northern Echo’s Dominic Shaw gives us the lowdown on all things Boro...

How would you assess Middlesbrough's first four performances?

Not perfect but promising. Seven points out of 12 is a sound return considering Boro aren't yet up to full speed, have had several key players out injured and a number of signings are still finding their feet. Their only defeat so far came at Derby, when Isaiah Jones made an early mistake and Boro didn't just knock on the door but tried to hammer it down, only for the Rams to cling on. Boro had 50 shots on goal against Derby and Portsmouth and somehow only picked up one point. They won at Cardiff before the break, which came the day after a hugely impressive summer transfer window came to a close.

Of the players signed this summer, has anyone stood out in particular?

American midfielder Aidan Morris has been superb. Boro were excited about Morris, but understandably willing to be patient and allow him to settle into new surroundings and a new league. But, he's very quickly and impressively caught the eye. Ben Doak arrived on deadline day and there's real excitement about the Liverpool loanee, although he's unlikely to go straight into the side on Saturday and Carrick stressed the need for patience with the teenager.

Any notable changes tactically from Michael Carrick this season?

No, tactically it's very much as you were, with two central midfielders and three forwards playing off the central striker. Interestingly, Tommy Conway has been used mostly as a No.10 since arriving from Bristol City - but hasn't yet started a league game playing off Emmanuel Latte Lath. The pair are likely to be unleashed together this weekend, which is an exciting prospect.

What are Boro's major strengths, but also areas PNE could exploit?

Their main strength right now is the depth of the squad. The likes of Ben Doak, Micah Hamilton, who was playing in the Champions League for Manchester City last season, Riley McGree, Delano Burgzorg and Dan Barlaser are all likely to be on the bench at the weekend - and Rav van den Berg, Marcus Forss, Jonny Howson, Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan are all still to come back from injury.

One concern at the moment is the shortage of fit central defenders, with van den Berg, Fry and Lenihan all set to miss to be missing on Saturday. But, Matt Clarke has been in exceptional form, Luke Ayling has moved over and slotted in at centre-half and George Edmundson arrived on deadline day, on loan from Ipswich Town.

How do you picture the game going?

Paul Heckingbottom was a sound appointment and will do a good job at Preston, but I think Boro will have too much this weekend. The win against Cardiff sent Boro into the break on a high and the squad is now complete and in place after the transfer deadline. It feels like Boro are ready to kick on.