Nottingham Forest have no new injury problems but are still without forward Nathan Tyson (ankle) and on-loan left-back Paul Konchesky (hamstring).
Guy Moussi, Robbie Findley and defender Kelvin Wilson are among those who are also sidelined.
MATCH PREVIEW
Thumped 3-0 at home by leaders Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, Middlesbrough also recently conceded four against second-placed Swansea at the Riverside, so could be forgiven for approaching another home match against one of the Championship's top sides with some trepidation.
Nottingham Forest, who have not lost at Middlesbrough since 1973, were the only side in the top five not to win at the weekend, and will want to avoid dropping more points in their all-important game in hand over the teams above them.
Their draw at Millwall last time out was not the body blow losing at Scunthorpe or drawing against bottom club Preston was, but it left Billy Davies' men with ground to make up. They are fifth in the table and four points behind Swansea.
Boro sit only two places and four points above the relegation zone. They recently showed signs of improvement but a defeat on Tuesday would be their fourth in five matches, as well as a third consecutive home loss.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Middlesbrough have won only one of the last 28 league meetings between these clubs (2-1 at the City Ground in March 1999).
• Forest's last six visits to Teesside have ended in draws.
Middlesbrough
• Boro have won three, drawn three and lost three of their nine Championship games in 2011.
• They have lost 16 league matches this season - as many as they lost throughout the whole of last term.
• Nicky Bailey is set to make his 250th league appearance.
Nottingham Forest
• Forest have won only one of their last five matches.
• They have picked up more points in 2011 than any other Championship club (25).
• This is their 100th league match under manager Billy Davies.
• Davies' side are yet to lose a league game this season in which they opened the scoring, and have won all nine matches in which they were ahead at half-time.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport