Striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has returned to the squad afetr missing out through injury at the weekend, while Emanuel Pogatetz is now declared fully fit, enough though he was on the bench against Tottenham.
A decision on James Morrison is still to be made following his kick to the head by Robbie Keane. The youngster will be assessed by Boro's medical staff before a decision is made.
Boro's injury list still includes Malcolm Christie (leg), Tony McMahon (shoulder), Stewart Downing (knee), Ray Parlour (knee), Gaizka Mendieta (calf), Stuart Parnaby (hamstring) and Szilard Nemeth (hamstring).
Boro boss Steve McClaren will probably hope to rest one or two of his senior pro's ahead of the festive programme and may well rely on the kids again, with Jason Kennedy and Adam Johnson the most likely to get a start.
A decision on James Morrison is still to be made following his kick to the head by Robbie Keane. The youngster will be assessed by Boro's medical staff before a decision is made.
Boro's injury list still includes Malcolm Christie (leg), Tony McMahon (shoulder), Stewart Downing (knee), Ray Parlour (knee), Gaizka Mendieta (calf), Stuart Parnaby (hamstring) and Szilard Nemeth (hamstring).
Boro boss Steve McClaren will probably hope to rest one or two of his senior pro's ahead of the festive programme and may well rely on the kids again, with Jason Kennedy and Adam Johnson the most likely to get a start.