Killen Lita Arca O'Neil Williams Robson Taylor Wheater McManus Hoyte Jones MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough subs (from): Coyne (gk), Grounds, Bennett, Franks, Pogatetz, Riggott, Naughton, Emnes, O'Shea, Miller, L Williams. Watford subs: Lee (gk), Harley, Hodson, McGinn, Buckley, Bryan, Graham
MIDDLESBROUGH: Gordon Strachan is expected to hand loan capture Jay O'Shea a place in his squad to boost his creative options in midfield. Stephen McManus is available despite suffering a gashed head against Preston on Tuesday.
Emanuel Pogatetz and Andrew Taylor vie for the left-back slot while Julio Arca and Gary O'Neil are expected to feature after recovering from a virus. Brad Jones will continue in goal. Suspensions: None Injuries: McDonald (hamstring), Flood (knee), Aliadiere (toe), McMahon (foot), Hines (ankle/knee), Bates (knee) Last five league games: WDDLW Leading league scorer: McDonald 15 (14 for Celtic) Next game: vs Crystal Palace (H) 3/04/10
WATFORD: The Hornets have just one win from their last eight games and are hovering nervously above the relegation zone. On loan Sunderland striker Ryan Noble goes straight into the squad after the 18-year-old agreed a loan deal until the end of the season. Boss Malky Mackay will give Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury a late fitness check on a hip injury. Suspensions: None Injuries: None Last five league games: LLWLL Leading league scorer: Cleverley 11 Key player: Tom Cleverley - Talented midfielder on loan from Manchester United
Last season: n/a League head to head: Middlesbrough 10, Watford 9, draws 4 Referee: Roger East (Aylesbury) G28 Y85 R3 Av 3.14 Last Middlesbrough game: n/a
It's a fact: Only four of the Boro team that lost to Watford last October are set to start this afternoon. Comment by Andy Richardson: A trip to relegation-threatened Watford offers Boro an ideal opportunity to keep alive their play-off hopes.
Prediction: 1-2
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo