Middlesbrough are hoping that Mikael Tavares (toe) and Marvin Emnes (groin) are passed fit to play.
Merouane Zemmama is still awaiting a visa, while Tarmo Kink returned to training after illness on Thursday but will not be included in the squad.
MATCH PREVIEW
Unbeaten in six matches, Middlesbrough appear to have turned the corner, and continued their encouraging start to 2011 with a victory against next-to-bottom Scunthorpe last time out.
That maintained their knack of beating their fellow Championship strugglers. The Teessiders have won five and drawn two of their seven games this season against teams currently in the bottom five.
Palace are next in line, but while Boro have clawed their way away from the relegation zone, the Eagles have also been making progress despite still awaiting their first victory since the appointment of Dougie Freedman as manager.
They have the second tier's worst goal difference and have had fewer efforts on goal this season than any other team in the division. But Palace are out of the bottom three following Tuesday's draw at promotion-chasing Watford.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Palace and Middlesbrough have each won 13 of the 35 previous league matches between these clubs.
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• Boro's last three league visits to Selhurst Park have finished 1-0 - twice in their favour, and once in the Eagles'.
Crystal Palace
• Palace have drawn their last three matches. Another draw would be their 500th at home in the club's league history.
• They have had 15 defeats in the Championship this season - as many as they suffered throughout the whole of last term.
• The Eagles, whose goal difference is -21, have had only 127 attempts on goal.
Middlesbrough
• Boro's victory against Scunthorpe in midweek was the third time this season they have come from behind to win.
• Only nine players have scored league goals for Boro this season.
• Their most recent scorer, Tony McMahon, is in line for his 100th career appearance.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport