Robin - we've really had bad luck in terms of injuries to players in good form: Cunningham, Dack, Evans, Rothwell!
One thought that crossed my mind was that we must start with Downing, Graham and Chapman - just because of the Boro connection! Players do often seem to make a special effort in that situation.
More seriously, though, Boro look a different kettle of fish from QPR - on paper, at least. They have only scored 29 goals - the second worst in the Division - but they are pretty tight, defensively.
Many of our players pick themselves at the moment: Walton, Nyambe, Lenihan, Tosin, Bell, Travis and Armstrong are certainties (if fit).
Downing is close to that status as well, so we are really looking at three spaces.
I suspect we will actually see Holtby, Rankin-Costello and Gallagher, but if I was in charge, I might have a go at something different, because of the specific challenges Boro present:
Walton
Nyambe Tosin Lenihan Bell
Bennett Travis Davenport Downing
Graham Armstrong.
(I would be quite happy to see Gallagher in for DG, but I just think the latter is likely to be better at holding the ball up and laying off headers for AA).
I very much doubt that TM would start with 4-4-2 like this, but I think Bennett and Downing provide more support for our full-backs than the alternatives, and Downing is certainly likely to provide better crosses than the other contenders.
To get back to your question, I'm not really trying to replace Rothwell at all. I'm more conservative than Mowbray and I'd opt for only two outright attackers. As I see it, Nyambe can go beyond Bennett on a regular basis in my line-up, but without having to be so concerned about who's filling the gap.
Also, I think Boro would find it difficult to penetrate with Travis and Davenport as our first line of defence. For me, Holtby is one of those bits-and-pieces players, and I'm not sure how he's best used. Perhaps as a last half-hour sub. And Rankin-Costello has always said that his favourite position is wide-left, so he could just slot into Downing's place for the final quarter. (Same with Gallagher for Graham).
It's easy - this management business!