The 24-year-old has impressed in training and assistant boss Mark Venus has thrown down the gauntlet.
Venus told the club's official website: "He has trained the last couple of days and he has done well.
"It was the first time me and the manager have seen him at first hand, though I know he did very well at Watford during his loan spell, so he is in the squad and here to put pressure on the position in which he plays."
There was another familiar face at Rockliffe Park this week when Egypt striker Mido reported for training after leaving Ajax, the Dutch club he joined from Boro last summer.
Source: PA
Source: PA