David Nugent has been given his first start for Middlesbrough in their Championship game against Bristol City after signing from Leicester City last week.
Christian Stuani also makes his first start for the club alongside Nugent ahead of Kike up front, despite the latter having scored three goals in his last two Championship matches.
Ben Gibson can only make the substitutes' bench despite returning from injury against Derby County in midweek, but there is still no place in the squad for Jonathan Woodgate.
For the away side, Luke Freeman remains banned and there is no place for Kieran Agard in the starting team despite the former Everton man coming off the bench to score in the 2-2 draw with Leeds United.
Middlesbrough: Dimi; Nsue, Kalas, Ayala, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton, Wildschut, Downing; Stuani, Nugent
Subs: Mejias, Gibson, Kike, Stephens, Adomah, Fabbrini, Forshaw
Bristol City: Hamer; Little, Ayling, Flint, Williams; Bryan, Smith, Pack, Reid; Wilbraham, Kodjia
Subs: O'Leary, El-Abd, Fredericks, Wagstaff, Robinson, Agard, Burns
