Steve Bruce will have skipper Liam Ridgewell back from suspension. The Englishman is likely to replace Radhi Jaidi, while Finnish striker Mikael Forssell could be recalled alongside Cameron Jerome in attack.
Boro have defensive concerns of their own with Jonathan Woodgate a doubt after being substituted in three of the last four games because of cramp. Fabio Rochemback is available but Gary O'Neil (hamstring) is struggling and Andrew Taylor (foot), Chris Riggott (calf) and Mido (groin) are out.
Chelsea coach Avram Grant looks set to start third-choice goalkeeper Hilario after Petr Cech sustained an injury in Sunday's 1-0 win at Blackburn. Second choice goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is out with a training ground rib injury. Captain John Terry and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba are sidelined with foot and knee injuries respectively.
Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov is pushing hard for a recall to the starting line-up. Petrov made his comeback as a substitute against Manchester City last weekend after missing the previous two games with a hamstring strain.
Defenders Claude Davis (knee), Andy Griffin (calf) and Andy Todd (back) are all out for Derby while midfielder David Jones is sidelined with a groin strain. Captain Matt Oakley is again doubtful with a thigh injury. Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater and defender Darren Moore have shoulder and back problems respectively.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is likely to shuffle his side. Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas are all in the running for a starting berth. Youngster Jack Hobbs could also get another run-out in defence while Xabi Alonso could also continue his comeback from injury.
Everton hope midfielder Mikel Arteta will have recovered from a bout of sickness. Leon Osman (foot), Leighton Baines (hamstring) and Alan Stubbs (calf) are all likely to miss out.
Bolton manager Gary Megson could be tempted to name an unchanged team. Gavin McCann and Jlloyd Samuel are both pushing for places in the starting line-up while Nicolas Anelka is aiming to improve on his 12-goal tally for the season.
Portsmouth could welcome back defender Noe Pamarot (hamstring) as his injury is not as bad as feared. Pompey also wait on Sean Davis, who missed the Liverpool defeat following a knock in training but Linvoy Primus (knee) and Martin Cranie (broken leg) remain long-term absentees.
Arsenal striker Theo Walcott has been struggling with a knee injury and is not expected to return. Emmanuel Eboue picked up knee and ankle problems last week but came through 74 minutes of the win over Tottenham at the weekend. Robin van Persie was not in the squad for the Spurs clash and may not be risked against Pompey.
Striker Michael Chopra (heel) is hoping to be fit for Sunderland. Liam Miller completes his three-match ban, while Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring), Kieran Richardson (back) and Russell Anderson (ankle) are closing in on returns.
Park Ji-sung could make his long-awaited return to the Manchester United squad after knee surgery. Edwin van der Sar (groin) is definitely out while Rio Ferdinand (foot) and Owen Hargreaves (back) should be fit after missing the win over Everton. Ryan Giggs could be rested.
Tottenham are waiting on fitness updates on Darren Bent (hip), Ricardo Rocha (thigh), Michael Dawson (migraine) and Jermaine Jenas (ankle). Ledley King (thigh), Anthony Gardner (ankle), Gareth Bale (foot), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Didier Zokora (suspended) are out.
Fulham defender Elliot Omozusi (leg) is doubtful. Brian McBride and Jimmy Bullard are both still sidelined with knee injuries.
West Ham striker Carlton Cole returns from suspension and James Collins (groin) and Luis Boa Morte (thigh) are back. Long-term absentees Calum Davenport (groin), Matthew Etherington (groin), Craig Bellamy (stomach strain), Anton Ferdinand (hamstring), Lee Bowyer (groin), Bobby Zamora (knee), Kieron Dyer (broken leg) and Julien Faubert (Achilles) remain out.
Reading will check on Brynjar Gunnarsson (gashed knee) but have no other new injuries. Wingers John Oster (ankle) and Glen Little (heel) are still out.
Wigan defender Mario Melchiot returns from suspension and Emile Heskey (ankle) is battling to prove his fitness. Jason Koumas (groin) is doubtful.
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce will make a late decision over England striker Michael Owen. The 28-year-old is ready to resume full training after a thigh injury and could be included in the squad, as could full-back Stephen Carr after a hamstring problem. Abdoulaye Faye (hamstring) is available once again.
Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson is almost certain to miss the game with an abdominal complaint. Emile Mpenza did not train yesterday with a minor muscle strain but should be fit while Stephen Ireland returns from a three-match ban.
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is without three players through suspension. Robbie Savage, Stephen Warnock and Keith Treacy all find themselves on the sidelines. Centre-back Christopher Samba at least returns from his own one-match ban to strengthen the Rovers line-up.
