Problems in defence for Dowie

Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie will be forced to shuffle his defence against Middlesbrough tomorrow after losing full-back Emmerson Boyce for at least six weeks with a broken foot.

With Danny Butterfield still recovering from a groin operation, Mikele Leigertwood, who has been playing in midfield, could come in as cover.

Centre-back Gonzalo Sorondo (knee) is also facing a battle to be fit, and so the likes of Mark Hudson, Tony Popovic and Darren Powell are in contention for a return to first-team action.

Greece midfielder Vassilis Lakis is back from suspension, while top scorer Andy Johnson has recovered from the foot injury which forced him to pull out of the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.

Nicola Ventola (fractured ankle) and Tommy Black (broken leg) are both continuing their recovery from long-term injuries.

Provisional squad: Kiraly, Hall, Sorondo, Granville, Routledge, Borrowdale, Leigertwood, Hughes, Soares, Johnson, Speroni, Freedman, Torghelle, Kolkka, Andrews, Powell, Riihilahti, Popovic, Hudson.