Noel Whelan and Hamilton Ricard are favouites to continue upfront for the fourth game in succession, with Szilard Nemeth on the bench.
Steve McClaren is forced to make a change at the back because Franck Queudrue is serving a one match suspension after picking up five bookings. It is the first match that the Frenchman has missed since joining Boro bak in October.
Gianluca Festa will continue in place of Ugo Ehiogu who is still a week or two away from returning. McClaren will have to decide whether or not to include Jason Gavin in a 5-3-2 formation or stick to a flay back four, he has experimented with both during the last few games.
But it's not all doom and gloom, there is some good news. Carlos Marinelli has trained well all week and could be in-line for a recall, although Phil Stamp could come into contention after coming on as sub at Wimbledon.
Dean Windass and Andy Campbell could figure with a place on the bench, both played well for the reserves in midweek, Windass scoring one and Campbell netting two in a 4-1 victory.