Late checks for Boro
Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray will make late checks on a series of players before naming his team for the npower Championship clash with Bristol City.
Full-back George Friend is undergoing a scan on the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Cardiff and while the player is confident it is not too serious, he is unlikely to be involved.
Central defender Jonathan Woodgate missed out in South Wales with a calf problem sustained during the 3-1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday on November 9, while midfielder Faris Haroun emerged from the game at Cardiff with a similar problem.
Both men will be assessed in the run-up to the match, the first of two within four days at the Riverside Stadium with Huddersfield waiting in the wings.
Julio Arca (toe), Muzzy Carayol and Curtis Main (both knee) and Rhys Williams (ankle ligaments) are all making progress, but are not expected to feature again until the New Year.
Bristol City's new loan signing Danny Wilson will go straight into the squad for the trip following his two-month move from Liverpool.
The 20-year-old former Rangers centre-back will boost manager Derek McInnes' defensive options with Stephen McManus and Lewin Nyatanga both out, while Greg Cunningham is still two weeks away from a return.
But the City chief received an injury blow with the news that striker Jon Stead will be ruled out for a few weeks with a groin problem suffered in training.
McInnes said: "He overstretched on the training field. It's a blow because he's going to miss a few weeks of action with it. We'll get it properly assessed to find out the full extent in the coming days."
Louis Carey and Matt Briggs have both been declared fit to make the journey with Briggs set to head back to Fulham after Saturday's match following the conclusion of his loan.
Cole Skuse and Jody Morris remain sidelined.
Source: PA
