Andrew Johnson is set to start for Palace tonight as Iain Dowie’s men take on a strong Middlesbrough side in the Carling Cup.
Johnson came on for the last 20 minutes of the 2-0 defeat at Luton last weekend, and he is expected to be paired with Jon Macken up front.
Mikele Leigertwood is also likely to start as he continues his own recovery from injury but Marco Reich will miss out after it was confirmed he would need hernia surgery.
Julian Speroni should get another chance to impress in goal after his heroics in the previous round against Liverpool.
Middlesbrough will field a strong side as boss Steve McClaren recognises the Carling Cup offers his side their best chance of another UEFA Cup campaign next season.
Palace old boy Gareth Southgate will lead Boro out, but they will be missing influential midfielder Gaizka Mendieta through injury.
Middlesbrough are yet to concede a goal in either the UEFA or Carling Cup competitions.
Probable Palace XI
Speroni
Boyce Popovic Hudson Fray
McAnuff Leigertwood Soares Andrews
Johnson Macken