Boro manager Gordon Strachan, who completed the permanent signing of the former Celtic trio earlier his week, will also be boosted by the return of Jeremie Aliadiere.
The French winger has been sidelined since Boxing Day due to the recurrence of an ankle injury, but is back in contention and ready to add to Strachan's selection dilemmas.
Striker Leroy Lita will sit out the final game of a three-match ban, but Strachan is hoping Adam Johnson has shaken off a hamstring problem that would have ruled him out last weekend had the home clash with Swansea not been postponed.
Isaiah Osbourne (groin) and Marvin Emnes (bruised ribs) are expected to return to the squad, but Emanuel Pogatetz is still out with a hamstring injury and Seb Hines (ankle and medial ligament) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligament) remain long-term absentees.