Middlesbrough are taking on Liverpool at the Riverside this evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
Striker Alvaro Negredo could return for the hosts having missed out at the weekend with a hamstring strain.
But Gaston Ramirez is struggling with a foot injury and George Friend still recovering from the effects of knee problem.
“It’s a balance, to try not to take risks but to put the best players on the pitch,” head coach Aitor Karanka told BBC Sport. “I can’t reserve a player for Saturday thinking that they’re not ready to play on Wednesday, because this is an important game for us.
“I will try to put out the best 11 [for Liverpool] thinking they’re the best for that game, not thinking about risk of playing on Saturday.”
Midfielder Emre Can [knee] may be ruled out for the visitors and Dejan Lovren needs checking having been withdrawn at the weekend.
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