With Chris Riggott ruled out and Ugo Ehiogu not quite ready to return Colin Copper will once again partner Gareth Southgate in the centre of defence. Michael Reiziger will continue at left back, as Franck Queudrue sits out the second game of his three match ban.
Boateng will return in midfield where Szilard Nemeth will step down to the bench, with Ray Parlour moving out to the right.
Up front Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be looking for more goals against a defence that has leaked 15 goals in the last 6 games.
Boro will be hoping to ruin the day for new Saints boss Harry Redknapp, as they did for Bryan Robson at West Brom last month. Dare I say it, Boro are unbeaten in their three visits to St. Mary's, returning with two draws and a victory.
Redknapp will be without James Beattie, Matt Oakley, Michael Svensson and Neil McCann who are all out injured, but Antti Niemi could return in goal after a knee injury.
Other players such as Jason Dodd and David Prutton will hope that the new manager will give them a new lease of life, if he wields the changes.
Possible starting line-ups:
Boro: Schwarzer, McMahon, Reiziger, Southgate, Cooper, Parlour, Boateng, Zenden, Downing, Viduka, Hasselbaink.
Southampton: Niemi, Nilsson, LeSaux, Jakobson, Lundekvam, Fernandes, Telfer, Delap, Svensson, Blackstock, Phillips
Boateng will return in midfield where Szilard Nemeth will step down to the bench, with Ray Parlour moving out to the right.
Up front Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be looking for more goals against a defence that has leaked 15 goals in the last 6 games.
Boro will be hoping to ruin the day for new Saints boss Harry Redknapp, as they did for Bryan Robson at West Brom last month. Dare I say it, Boro are unbeaten in their three visits to St. Mary's, returning with two draws and a victory.
Redknapp will be without James Beattie, Matt Oakley, Michael Svensson and Neil McCann who are all out injured, but Antti Niemi could return in goal after a knee injury.
Other players such as Jason Dodd and David Prutton will hope that the new manager will give them a new lease of life, if he wields the changes.
Possible starting line-ups:
Boro: Schwarzer, McMahon, Reiziger, Southgate, Cooper, Parlour, Boateng, Zenden, Downing, Viduka, Hasselbaink.
Southampton: Niemi, Nilsson, LeSaux, Jakobson, Lundekvam, Fernandes, Telfer, Delap, Svensson, Blackstock, Phillips