Leadbitter out for Boro
Middlesbrough will be without midfielder Grant Leadbitter as they attempt to return to winning ways against high-flying Watford on Saturday.
The former Sunderland and Ipswich man will be missing through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the campaign during Tuesday night's 2-0 Sky Bet Championship defeat at Wolves.
That was Boro's first defeat in eight league outings, but they remain in third place in the table, just two points shy of this weekend's visitors to the Riverside Stadium, who are second.
Manager Aitor Karanka has a concern over midfielder Adam Clayton, who missed the trip to Molineux after taking a blow in the face at Brighton last weekend, and his condition is being monitored. Jonathan Woodgate (thigh), Damia Abella, Muzzy Carayol (both knee) and Rhys Williams (Achilles) remain on the long-term casualty list.
Watford will be without Almen Abdi after the midfielder suffered a shoulder injury during their midweek draw with Nottingham Forest.
Defender Sebastien Bassong was also forced off late on in the game and his calf injury will be assessed ahead of kick-off.
There is better news in the shape of returns for Craig Cathcart, Keith Andrews (both calf) and Lewis McGugan, who missed out on Tuesday with a back problem.
But defensive duo Gabriel Tamas (knee) and Gabriele Angella (ankle) are still in the treatment room.
Source: PA
