Middlesbrough will be without former Lazio midfield player Gaizka Mendieta against Brighton in the Carling Cup at The Riverside.
The Spanish international has not recovered from a calf strain picked up in training.
Manager Steve McClaren has refused to be drawn on whether he will make changes following a 1-0 Premier League win over Everton but has promised to play a strong side as he does not regard the Carling Cup as a "nuisance" competition.