Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil has recovered from a calf strain in time to play and he may start alongside new signing Didier Digard.
Emanuel Pogatetz is fit, but Julio Arca and Chris Riggott are both injured.
Tottenham will be without defender Alan Hutton as he has a foot injury, so Didier Zokora could play at right-back.
Ledley King is fit to start and striker Dimitar Berbatov, who has been linked with Manchester United, will be considered to play for Spurs. <!-- E SF -->
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Middlesbrough (from): Jones, Turnbull, Williams, McMahon, Taylor, Grounds, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, Emnes, O'Neil, Digard, Shawky, Downing, Johnson, Tuncay, Mido, Alves.
Tottenham (from): Gomes, Sanchez, Zokora, Gunter, Bale, Assou-Ekotto, Gilberto, King, Woodgate, Dawson, Modric, Bentley, Jenas, Huddlestone, Taarabt, O'Hara, Lennon, Boateng, dos Santos, Berbatov, Bent.
This match at the Riverside pits Tottenham, the Carling Cup winners, with Middlesbrough, for which the Carling Cup is the only major piece of silverware they have ever won (2004).
It is a match between two founder members of the Premier League, and Middlesbrough's 250th home fixture in this league.
The Riversiders will want to resume where they left off, claiming back-to-back victories, home to Portsmouth (2-0) and Manchester City (8-1).
Last season's corresponding fixture was Juande Ramos' first Premier League game in charge of Spurs. He oversaw a 1-1 draw.
Tottenham will be making the longest journey of any Premier League club this weekend.
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