Boro were already without Robert Huth, Chris Riggott, Matthew Bates and Seb Hines, so the departure of Abel Xavier and new injuries to Tony McMahon and Andrew Taylor has compounded the situation.
The problem position at left back could be filled by Emmanuel Pogatetz or Julio Arca but they have both commanded great respect in the middle of the defence and midfield respectively.
There is the option of drafting in Stuart Parnaby or David Wheater at left back or swapping one of them with Andrew Davies. He could even bring in another un-tested youngster from the youth team.