Regular skipper Itoje has been named on bench for first time since 2017
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Pressure growing on Tony Pulis as Middlesbrough slump to defeat again
Middlesbrough’s promotion hopes suffered another blow after they were beaten 1-0 by managerless Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.
Former Boro midfielder Adam Reach scored the only goal of the game as a miserable festive period continued on Teesside. The gap to Championship leaders Leeds now stands at 10 points, with just two points keeping them in the play-off places.
Over 30,000 fans witnessed a poor display at the Riverside Stadium, with the players booed off at both half and full-time. Pulis admits that is part of the game his players must accept in tough periods.
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