Selection problems are nothing new for Gareth Southgate. Its not that long ago when a couple of injuries reduced our pool of strikers to Lee Dong Gook. The poser for this Saturday is thankfully an altogether more palatable one.

Despite alternatives being available, Southgate will surely opt for Jeremie Aliadiere and Stewart Downing on the flanks again this Saturday. Downing’s selection is a no-brainer but Aliadiere has made an impressive start in his new role. Playing out wide seems to suit his abilities better - he still has the space with which he can exploit his searing pace but his erratic finishing isn’t such a hindrance for the team’s goal output.

Tuncay Sanli will probably get the nod to link midfield and attack. He seems to have come back revived by his madcap summer with Turkey. The flick over Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the season opener before racing clear to set up a chance for Alves suggested a man in form. The ludicrous, jaw-dropping spin that left Jamie Carragher grasping thin air last week confirmed it. There’s stillΒ  room for improvement - the fans always appreciate him haring around the pitch like a demented rooster but he could do with concentrating his effort in more critical areas of the pitch. Still, it seems churlish to pick on that or his inconsistent shooting - on form, he’s possibly the most thrilling player on the ball Boro have had since Juninho.

The last place will probably come down to a choice between Mido and Afonso Alves. The fact that Alves remained seated for all 90 minutes on Tuesday suggests the record signing will get the nod. This is understandable in some ways - Alves was superb against Tottenham without getting the goal his play deserved. There will still flashes of dazzling acceleration in his peripheral display at Anfield. He remains the man most likely to reach the 15 goal mark this season.

Mido could hardly have built a stronger case for his inclusion. Two goals in as many substitute appearances in the league including that belter at Liverpool and one for good measure when given a starting chance against Yeovil. He’s already bettered last season’s goal tally and the evidence of his fitness work over the summer is undeniable. There’s not much more he can do to make his case.

In opting for Alves, Southgate would in some ways be going back on his pre-season words about picking players on form rather than reputation. Juggling our attacking resources will beΒ  a exacting test of Southgate’s man management. Already, there’s been faint grumblings from Mido and Adam Johnson about lack of pitch time. To leave Mido out would appear to contradict the democratic approach the manager had seemed to be advocating.

This week’s opponents…STOKE CITY

A hearty welcome to Premier League newcomers Stoke City - their first visit to the Riverside since Ravanelli’s final game in 1997. The Potters didn’t make many friends on their way to an unexpected promotion due to their, ahem, uncompromising style. The throw-in frolics against Aston Villa last week suggest Stoke are still planning to rough it now their amongst the big boys.

There’s not many familiar faces in the Stoke ranks beyond recent signing Andrew Davies, who jumped Southampton’s sinking ship in the nick of time. Otherwise, the emphasis is on beefcake centre-forwards (Ricardo Fuller, Mamady Sidibe) and relics with an undistinguished record in Premier League football (Amdy Faye, Salif Diao, Richard Cresswell).

It’s a game with all the hallmarks of a classic Boro anti-climax. I can see it now - injury time, Delap propels a throw into orbit and ball bounces off Cresswell’s arse past a prone Turnbull while Mido stands by a post idly picking his nose. Trevor Benjamin’s title of ’shittest away player ever to score the Riverside’ is in danger. Be afraid.

Iggy Pop Barker