Boro could have Nicky Bailey back in their squad after he missed the defeat at Doncaster with a groin problem.Stephen McManus (ankle), Jonathan Franks (back), Willo Flood (knee), Rhys Williams (pelvis) and Matt Kilgallon (back) are long-term absentees.
Forest captain Paul McKenna could come back into the side after missing the last four matches with a groin injury.
Chris Cohen, Garath McCleary and Nathan Tyson are also options for boss Billy Davies should he wish to make changes.
MATCH PREVIEW
Middlesbrough, above the relegation zone only on goal difference, have waited 37 years for a home win against Nottingham Forest, who have drawn on their last six visits to Teesside.
Forest head there in decent form. The Reds, who have not won on Boxing Day for four years, are eighth in the table and have won nine of their last 10 league matches. Boro, on the other hand, continue to struggle and their loss at Doncaster last time out was their 10th defeat in 15 games.
This is the third time in four seasons that Boro have had a mere 21 points after their first 22 league fixtures. And their recent form - one win in their last six games - does not hint at a recovery in the second half of the campaign.
But they are capable of impressing at home, with five of their six Championship wins coming at the Riverside Stadium. And three of those victories have been against sides that are currently in the top half. Promotion-chasing Cardiff were their latest victims.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Middlesbrough's only win in 28 league matches against Nottingham Forest was a 2-1 away victory in the Premier League in March 1999.
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Middlesbrough
• Boro have lost four Championship matches this season after being ahead. It is a distinction shared only by bottom side Preston.
• The Teessiders are scoring, on average, every 5.9 attempts on target - the worst ratio in the division.
• They have won three, drawn one and lost five of their league matches since Tony Mowbray took over as manager.
• Only eight players have scored league goals for Boro this season.
Nottingham Forest
• Forest have drawn nine of their 20 league games - seven of them 1-1.
• Of the 17 goals they have conceded this season, 11 have come in the first half.
• The next goal they let in will be the 100th Forest have conceded under manager Billy Davies.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport