The 'Gate only returned to full training yesterday and is short of match practice. Likewise, Colin Cooper and Franck Queudrue are not fully match fit but both have played because the situation necessitated it.
Stuart Parnaby will continue at right-back in place of Michael Reiziger who will have an operation on his shoulder this weekend.
The midfield should remain the same and it also looks likely that Joseph-Desire Job will continue alongside JFH, although McClaren has indicated that Mark Viduka will take part at some stage of the game.