Seven Middlesbrough players have been called up for international duty, leaving manager Kim Hellberg to plan for the club's next fixture without them. The group will represent five different nations across a busy schedule of matches before the Championship resumes.

Will Lankshear, Ashley Phillips and Amario Cozier-Duberry are with the England Under-21 squad. Lankshear is the club's top scorer this season with six goals in eight appearances, a form that has earned him this latest youth call-up. Phillips, who has five caps at this level, is also included. The Young Lions face Kazakhstan on September 25, Slovakia on October 2 and Ireland on October 6.

Sebastian Berhalter joins the United States senior squad for a demanding set of friendlies. The USA will play Peru on September 26, Chile on September 30, Mexico on October 4 and Canada on October 7. Riley McGree is part of the Australia squad for two high-profile friendlies against Brazil on September 25 and 29.

Jeremy Sarmiento is with Ecuador, who play South Korea on September 24 and Japan on October 1. David Strelec has been selected by Slovakia, who have a packed schedule against Moldova on September 26 and October 6, Kazakhstan on September 29 and the Faroe Islands on October 2.

Players who missed out

Not every Boro player received the call this time. Tommy Conway was not included in the Scotland squad, while Alfie Jones withdrew from the Canada squad due to an injury. Radek Vitek remains uncapped for Czechia and Adilson Malanda is yet to earn a senior cap for France.

The international departures come as Middlesbrough sit third in the Championship table with 15 points from eight games. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws and one loss from the last five outings, a run that includes a dramatic 4-3 win over Norwich and a 2-2 draw at Birmingham last time out.

All focus at Rockliffe Park will now turn to preparing for the return of league action. The players' travel and match loads will be monitored closely ahead of a significant fixture. Middlesbrough host fourth-placed Wolves at the Riverside Stadium on October 10 in a match that could have a major say in the early-season promotion picture. Fans can view the full fixtures list for the season ahead. Hellberg will hope his international contingent return fit and ready to contribute as the club aims to close the two-point gap to league leaders Swansea.

More detail at Teesside Live