Middlesbrough are hosting play-off hopefuls Queens Park Rangers at the Riverside this weekend.
But they are without suspended midfielder Grant Leadbitter and sidelined winger Mustapha Carayol following an anterior cruciate ligament injury ending his season.
Striker Lee Tomlin should though recover from a high temperature but Jonathan Woodgate (calf), Tomas Mejias (finger), Seb Hines (thigh), Rhys Williams (Achilles) and Daniel Ayala (ankle) remain out.
“It’s an interesting test for us against one of the best teams in the league,” Boro head coach Aitor Karanka told BBC Radio Tees. “They have a lot of players with Premier League experience, so it’s not a normal game, although it’s still worth three points.
“We have been working on the basis it will be a very, very difficult game,” he added. “Sometimes people say we are doing a good job because we are not conceding goals, but I am not happy because I am here to win. Draws do not make me happy.”
Rangers could welcome back goalkeeper Rob Green from a rib injury while midfielder Jermaine Jenas may shake-off a hamstring problem.
Defender Danny Simpson might be another recalled following his return to training.
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