Middlesbrough continue to search for their opening home league victory since returning to the top-flight when hosting AFC Bournemouth.
On loan defender Calum Chambers returns having been ineligible for the latest excellent scoreless draw at parent club Arsenal.
Skipper Grant Leadbitter is still recovering following hernia surgery in the summer.
“We don’t want to arrive to games obsessed that we have to win,” head coach Aitor Karanka told BBC Sport. “We have to keep improving. After Tottenham we have improved. The way we managed the game at Arsenal was really good and we have to keep improving.”
The Cherries have a doubt over Junior Stanislas because of a calf problem.
Marc Pugh is similarly a concern and both Brad Smith and Lewis Cook already ruled out, although midfielder Andrew Surman has recovered from illness.
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