Wes Hoolahan and Marco Stiepermann are also struggling with knocks, but Daniel Farke is hopeful Nelson Oliveira will be able to return from injury.

“Mario will be unavailable – he’s had to have treatment since Saturday,” Farke told the media on Monday afternoon. “He had a knock on his calf during the game and he can’t run at the moment. There’s a chance for Saturday and hopefully he can return for then because he had a brilliant game at Brentford and he can always create something.”

There was better news for Hoolahan and Stiepermann, who were both injured during the goalless draw with Bristol City, but it is touch and go whether they’ll be involved against Middlesbrough. “There is a bit of hope with Stiepermann, who had some problems with his groin,” Farke said. “He’s had some treatment, and he’ll travel with us but there’s only a small chance we’ll be able to use him. That’s a shame as he’s been brilliant in the last few games.

“There’s also hope for Wes. He had a scan and nothing is broken, but there is a swelling in the knee. It’s painful but we’re hopeful he’ll be able to train this afternoon [Monday] and then we’ll make the decision – but he’ll be another one who won’t be 100%.”

Oliveira has been on the sidelines since the draw with Burton Albion, and a late decision will be made on his availability. “It looks good for Nelson but he’s not trained with us much, but we’ll see if he can train this afternoon [Monday] and if he’s ok he’ll be able to travel with us. He won’t be 100%, but it would be a good feeling if we could have him on the bench and have the option to bring him on.”

James Maddison has recovered fully from the knock which kept him out of the Carabao Cup last week, but Farke revealed that Steven Naismith won’t be available before the international break as he recovers from a groin injury.

Team News: Middlesbrough v City

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