Colin Cooper returned to training yesterday, I am sure the thoughts of players and fans everywhere are with him and wish him a speedy return to action. I don't think he will be considered tonight.
Steve McClaren has a number of options up front and in midfield, does he play Boksic and Carbone together up front or does he play the Italian just behind the front two. If it's the latter does he play Szilard Nemeth or Noel Whelan with Boksic.
Whelan could also be in the midfield equation with Paul Ince, Jonathan Greening, Robbie Mustoe, Mark Wilson and Carlos Marinelli all challenging for a starting place.
Personally I would play Carbone behind Boksic and Whelan, and have a three man midfield of Ince, Greening and Mustoe. This would allow a change to 4-4-2 if required, by pulling Whelan back into midfield and pushing Carbone up front with Boksic.
But that's just my opinion, I'm not the manager, Mr McClaren gets paid to do that.