Interim Middlesbrough boss Mark Venus has a full squad to select from, having picked up no injuries last weekend.
Defender Jonathan Woodgate, who has started the last two games after shaking off a niggling calf problem, is likely to keep his place.
Watford may give West Brom loan signing midfielder George Thorne his debut.Watch Middlesbrough V Watford Live, Watch Middlesbrough V Watford Live Stream, Watch Middlesbrough V Watford Free Live Stream,Watch Middlesbrough V Watford Online, Watch Middlesbrough V Watford Online Free, Middlesbrough V Watford Live, Middlesbrough V Watford live stream Online.
Defender Nyron Nosworthy is nearing his return from an Achilles injury but midfielder Almen Abdi (foot) and Tommie Hoban (ankle) remain absent.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• There have been 30 league matches between these clubs since the first in 1966 and there's only one win between them; Middlesbrough 13, Watford 12.
• Matej Vydra scored both goals in Watford's 2-1 victory in the corresponding fixture 10 months ago, which made amends in part for being sent off after 43 minutes of the reverse fixture, which 'Boro won 2-1.
• The Hornets are chasing a third win in five league visits to the Riverside.
Middlesbrough
• The Teesside club are chasing a third win in five Championship games, and have won one and lost one so far under caretaker manager Mark Venus.
• The Riversiders may only be 16th in the table but they still boast the most lethal home attack in the division with 15 goals buried in seven games, and are undefeated in six in front of their home supporters.
• 'Boro have recouped a joint divisional-high eight points from losing positions.
• But all three of Middlesbrough's victories this term have been against clubs beneath them in the bottom eight.
Watford
• The seventh-placed Hornets are looking for their seventh maximum of this Championship campaign, and first in four outings.
• All six victories have been against clubs positioned below them in the table.
• Watford have scored an unequalled six goals in the first 15 minutes of Championship games, and an unmatched seven in the last 15 minutes.
• The Vicarage Road club have won 99 league points under Gianfranco Zola.