Andrew Taylor came in for Emanuel Pogatetz who was nursing a knee injury, and Julio Arca replaced Chris Killen who dropped to the bench.
Killen was playing for New Zealand against Mexico in Los Angeles in midweek with Jeremie Aliadiere pushed up alongside Leroy Lita in attack.
The pre-match entertainment for the away fans was a march by Cardiff supporters to show their displeasure with the way their club is being run, directing their ire at Bluebirds chairman Peter Ridsdale.
Cardiff City: Marshall; Matthews, Gerrard, Gyepes, McNaughton; Burke, Blake, Rae, McCormack; Chopra, Bothroyd. Subs: Enckelman (gk); Quinn, Capaldi, Taiwo, Wildig, Feeney, Meades.
Middlesbrough: Coyne; Naughton, Wheater, McManus, Taylor; O'Neil, Robson, Arca, Flood; Aliadiere, Lita. Subs: Jones (gk); Miller, Grounds, Williams, Bennett, Franks, Killen.
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo