Bolton Wanderers provide Boro's first pre-season opposition on Saturday.
The match is taking place at Bishop Auckland's Heritage Park and will kick-off at 3pm.
Ahead of the game, mfc.co.uk takes a closer look at the Trotters...
The background
Bolton will again be aiming for promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in 2024/25 after agonisingly falling short last time out.
Wanderers finished third in League One, five points adrift of second-placed Derby County, and were beaten in the play-off final by Oxford United.
They started pre-season with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion in a game played behind closed doors last Saturday. Kyle Dempsey and Aaron Collins were the Bolton goalscorers.
Previously a fixture in the Premier League, the Whites have been in the third tier since 2021, when they earned promotion from League Two at the first time of asking.
The manager
Ian Evatt has provided continuity in the Bolton dugout since being appointed manager in the summer of 2020.
Evatt had previously gained a reputation as one of the country's best up-and-coming coaches during a spell in charge of Barrow, who he led to promotion to the Football League.
He also earned promotion in his first season with Bolton in 2021/22 before continuing to improve Wanderers' league positions year-on-year, culminating in last season's near-miss.
In his playing days, Evatt played for clubs including Derby County, Chesterfield, Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool, who he represented in the Premier League.
Key players
Dion Charles was Bolton's main source of goals last season, with the Northern Ireland international netting 20 times in all competitions.
Former Chelsea youngster Nathan Baxter is usually between the sticks for the Whites, who are captained by Portuguese defender Ricardo Santos.
Summer signing Scott Arfield provides vital experience in midfield while Kyle Dempsey and Victor Adeboyejo are important figures at the top end of the pitch.
Aaron Collins is another crucial figure, with the 2022/23 League One Player of the Season scoring eight goals for Bolton in the second half of last season following his January arrival.
Past meetings
Boro have an outstanding record in recent competitive meetings with Bolton.
They have won the last nine encounters between the sides, including a 3-1 victory at Toughsheet Community Stadium during their run to the Carabao Cup semi-finals last season. Matt Crooks, Riley McGree and Morgan Rogers were on target for Boro.
Bolton were also, of course, Boro's opponents in the 2004 League Cup final in Cardiff. Goals from Joseph-Desire Job and Bolo Zenden sealed the club's first piece of major silverware.
Saturday's match may not have the glamour of that occasion, but Michael Carrick and his players will be aiming for a positive start to pre-season as they step up their preparations for 2024/25.