Middlesbrough will be without striker Scott McDonald when Crystal Palace visit the Riverside Stadium.
The Australian scored Boro's first goal in their 2-2 midweek draw at Leicester but later suffered a medial knee ligament injury and is likely to be out for at least six weeks.
Top scorer Marvin Emnes suffered a slight hamstring strain in the game at the King Power Stadium and was withdrawn as a precaution but boss Tony Mowbray is hopeful the Dutchman will be fit.
Goalkeeper Jason Steele (wrist) played through the pain barrier against the Foxes and will keep his place with rookie Connor Ripley on the bench as back-up in the absence of Danny Coyne (calf).
Midfielders Nick Bailey (medial ligament) and Merouane Zemmama (groin) continue to be sidelined for the Teesiders along with striker Bart Ogbeche (hamstring) and Julio Arca, who serves the final game of a three-match ban.
Palace welcome back captain Paddy McCarthy for the trip. The Irish defender missed Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against derby rivals Brighton through suspension after he was sent off in the Carling Cup semi-final defeat in Cardiff.
Paul McShane has extended his loan deal from Hull until the end of the season but he could be the one to make way if McCarthy returns to the starting line-up alongside Anthony Gardner at centre-half.
Norwich striker Chris Martin, a goalscorer against the Seagulls, has also extended his loan spell.
Left-back Dean Moxey is fit after a spell out with a knee injury but midfielder Jonathan Williams is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered in November.
Middlesbrough V Crystal Palace - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: PA
