Aynsley Pears will return to Blackwell Meadows when Middlesbrough Under23s visit on Saturday (kick off 1pm).

Aynsley had a very successful loan spell with us last season, and established himself as a firm favourite with some great displays. He returned to Boro when his loan spell finished at the end of the season after playing 16 games.

He will be a part of a strong Boro squad that thumped Bishop Auckland in a friendly last Saturday. They include several promising players, one of whom is midfielder Ben Liddle, son of Darlo legend Craig. Ones to watch out for are midfielder Billal Brahimi and defender Djed Spence.

The squad is:

Aynsley Pears

Brad James

Djed Spence

Nathan McGinley

Daniel Ward

Enes Mahmutovic

Patrick Reading

Nathan Dale

Sam Stubbs

Connor Malley

Ben Liddle

Stephen Walker

Callum Cooke

Nathan Guru

Billal Brahimi

Kian Spence

Alex Pattison

Tyrone O’Neill

Stephen Walker

The team is managed by Paul Stephenson, and he is assisted by former Darlington defender Graeme Lee.