Middlesbrough v Queens Park Rangers

Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala could return after a suspension of a match.

Left-back George Friend, center-back Aden Flint (hamstring) and rear-back Ryan Shotton are all doubtful.

QPR will evaluate midfielder Luke Freeman, who was forced to collapse in the midweek 3-2 loss to West Brom due to a hip problem.

The center back Grant Hall could come back after a shot, but Angel Rangel and Geoff Cameron remain absent.

The Rangers lost their last six league games after eight games without a win in the championship, which took them from eighth to 18th in the table.

Boro starts the weekend in fifth position, seven points from the automatic promotion spots.

Match facts

• Middlesbrough has won four of its last five league games against QPR, losing the other in the return leg of this season at Loftus Road (2-1).
• None of the last 13 league games between Middlesbrough and QPR have resulted in a draw (seven wins for Middlesbrough, six for QPR).
• QPR was the last team to concede the first goal and won at Riverside Stadium against Middlesbrough in a championship game, in March 2014; the hosts are undefeated in their last 61 home league matches when they scored first (W54 J7).
• The series of six consecutive losses at QPR is Steve McClaren's longest streak in league play as manager.
• Middlesbrough have won just two of their last 11 home games (D6 L3) since the start of the season with four straight wins at Riverside.
• The last five championship losses against QPR have ended with a one goal gap, the last three consecutive losses (1-0, 2-1, 2-1).