Everton defenders Tony Hibbert and Nuno Valente are doubtful, as is striker Andrew Johnson (groin). Mikel Arteta (ankle) could return but Thomas Gravesen remains out. Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Egypt striker Mido (hamstring) have both been declared fit and could return to the side. Gary O'Neil is available, but Tuncay Sanli (shin) is a doubt and Julio Arca and Emanuel Pogatetz (both knee) and Jeremie Aliadiere (hamstring) are out.
Everton (from): Wessels, Hibbert, Stubbs, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Valente, Pienaar, Arteta, Carsley, Neville, Jagielka, Osman, Johnson, McFadden, Yakubu, Anichebe, Ruddy, Vidarsson, Van der Meyde.
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Young, Davies, Woodgate, Wheater, Riggott, Taylor, Boateng, Rochemback, O'Neil, Downing, Cattermole, Shawky, Tuncay, Mido, Lee, Craddock.
Everton likely;
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> WesselsNeville Stubbs Lescott BainesPienaar Carsley Jagielka Osman Yakubu McFaddenSubs: Ruddy, Valente, Anichebe, Van der Meyde, Vidarsson</pre>
Everton manager David Moyes on Yakubu: "I thought he was a bit anxious on Wednesday and probably made some poor decisions with his shots, some of them were ridiculous long-rangers. But it was good that he got a goal, and hopefully it will just settle him down a little bit. I'm sure he'll be more fired up, just as most players are against their former club. I hope that's the case. I have been back to old clubs and it does spur you on that extra bit. Sometimes it can work to your advantage and sometimes it doesn't. But if you can pull out all the stops in one game then I think you should do it in every game. I'd have to say that you should play every game as if it was going to be your last." Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate: "I know we are doing the majority of things right, we just have to tighten up on the little things that are costing us results at the moment. But I also know we are ahead of where we were as a team this time last year even though points-wise, we have only three more points than we had then. We have scored more, we have conceded one fewer in the league than we had last year and I know we have got a stronger squad in terms of quality. I believe we are progressing, but that progress in terms of results does not always immediately show." BIG-MATCH FACTS
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI> Victory for Middlesbrough would inflict on Everton a third successive Premier League defeat, and make it their worst league run since December 2005.
<LI> The Merseysiders are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season; having conceded one goal in each of their first six outings and two at Aston Villa last Sunday.
<LI> This match pits the most disciplined side in the Premier League with the worst behaved, going into this round of matches. Everton have been shown just seven yellow cards; Middlesbrough 20.
<LI> Middlesbrough cross the Pennines in search of their first maximum at Goodison Park since a 0-2 end-of-season triumph on 14 May 2000, when Brian Deane and Juninho were on target.
CLUB FORM EVERTON
<LI>1. Won four of nine in all competitions this season, including Wednesday's 0-3 away victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup.
<LI>2. Won one of five league matches.
<LI>3. Won three, drawn one and lost three of seven Premier League matches this season, scoring eight goals and conceding eight.
<LI>4. Not lost in excess of two successive Premier League games, since suffering four defeats on the bounce on 28 December 2005.
<LI>5. Failed to score in the last two games or in 180 minutes (three hours) of Premier League football since Jolean Lescott's last gasp winner against Bolton at the Reebok on 1 September.
<LI>6. One draw short of 1,000 in top-flight football.
<LI>7. One of six clubs with a 100% record from Premier League matches in which they've opened the scoring (won three of three).
<LI>8. This match precedes Thursday's Uefa Cup first round first leg tie in the Ukraine against FC Metalist Kharkiv, where the sides stand at one-all.
MIDDLESBROUGH
<LI>1. Lost four of nine in all competitions this season, including Wednesday's 2-0 away defeat to Tottenham in the Carling Cup.
<LI>2. Chasing a second away league win of the season, which would equal last season's tally.
<LI>3. Scored only two Premier League goals on the road so far this term (v Fulham).
<LI>4. Failed to score in seven of the last 10 away league games.
<LI>5. Another fixture against north-west opposition follows this, away to Manchester City, before Chelsea visit the Riverside and a trip to Manchester United.
KEY PLAYER NOTES EVERTON
<LI>Jolean LESCOTT and James McFADDEN are Everton's top scorers with three goals each.
<LI>Leon OSMAN and LESCOTT are the clubs' joint leading marksmen in the Premier League with two goals a piece.
<LI>Andrew JOHNSON has not scored for either club or country since a late winner against Arsenal on 18 March; that's a run of 16 games without a goal (12 for Everton, three for England).
<LI>McFADDEN is now a double shy of 50 club career goals.
If on the field from the outset:-
<LI>McFADDEN will be making his 50th Premier League start.
If he plays:-
<LI>YAKUBU will be facing his former club. The 24 year old Nigeria international striker made 104 appearances (73 in the league) and scored 35 goals (25 league) for Middlesbrough from July 2005 until his £11.25m move to Goodison Park on 29 August.
<LI>Leighton BAINES will be making his 150th career league appearance (Wigan and Everton).
<LI>Andy VAN DER MEYDE, who's not yet made an appearance this season, will be participating on his 28th birthday.
MIDDLESBROUGH
<LI>Stewart DOWNING is Middlesbrough's top scorer, with three Premier League goals - one more than he managed in the whole of last season.
If he plays:-
<LI>Luke YOUNG will be making his 250th career Premier League appearance (Tottenham, Charlton and Middlesbrough).
HEAD TO HEAD
<LI>Relegation battlers Middlesbrough hung on for a point in a grim goalless draw in this fixture last season, when Andrew Johnson was at the centre of a controversial penalty claim.
<LI>The Toffees are defending a seven-match unbeaten home Premiership record against the Teessiders of four wins and three draws.
</UL>
Home and away
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">League (inc PL): Everton 51 wins, Middlesbro 30, Draws 27Prem: Everton 10 wins, Middlesbro 7, Draws 7at Everton onlyLeague (inc PL): Everton 37 wins, Middlesbro 5, Draws 12Prem: Everton 6 wins, Middlesbro 2, Draws 4</pre>
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Everton 0-0 Middlesbrough
26 December 2006 - Ref: Phil Dowd
REFEREE
Mike Riley (Leeds, Yorkshire)
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