Barry Robson could return to the Boro squad after a hamstring injury, but Justin Hoyte's expected return from a similar problem has been put back.Stephen McManus, Kevin Thomson, Matthew Bates and Danny Coyne are out, while Willo Flood's return from a knee injury has been delayed by a thigh strain.
QPR are still without forward Tommy Smith, who has a hamstring problem.
But Hogan Ephraim is available again after serving a three-match ban for his recent dismissal against Reading.
MATCH PREVIEW
These clubs started the season among the favourites to win the Championship and while Queens Park Rangers are on course to do so, Middlesbrough are battling to avoid heading out of the division in the opposite direction.
Boro are only two places above the drop zone but have eased their relegation fears with three wins from their last six matches. Their 3-2 victory at Millwall last time out was another step in the right direction.
Rangers took another step towards the Premier League when they overcame a stubborn Ipswich side in midweek. That 2-0 win maintained their five-point lead at the top of the table and extended their unbeaten run to nine matches.
Boss Neil Warnock opted to replace centre-backs Matt Connolly and Kaspars Gorkss for that game, recalling Fitz Hall and giving Dan Shitttu his first outing since returning to Loftus Road. The decision was vindicated and Shittu is now in line for the 300th appearance of his club career.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• QPR have won 14 of the 42 previous matches between these clubs - one more than Middlesbrough - but have lost on their last three visits to Teesside.
• Rangers beat Boro 3-0 earlier this season and a win on Saturday would complete their first league 'double' over them since the 1976/77 top-flight campaign.
Middlesbrough
• Middlesbrough's last two games have produced a total of 12 goals.
• A defeat would leave Boro with 16 league losses - as many as they suffered during the whole of last season.
• They have lost five Championship matches this term after being ahead.
Queens Park Rangers
• A win for QPR would be the club's 400th in the second tier.
• Rangers have the best defensive record in the Championship, having conceded only 20 goals and kept an unequalled 18 clean sheets.
• The west London side are yet to lose this season after scoring the opening goal. They have won 15 and drawn three of the 18 games in which they have scored first.
• If restored to the side, defender Kaspars Gorkss will be making his 150th league start.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport