Injuries to key playmakers will give Aitor Karanka a selection headache in the run-up to Middlesbrough's Sunday afternoon trip to Southampton.
Gaston Ramirez picked up a knock and didn't train with the squad on Friday morning. Given that solo striker Alvaro Negredo is another serious doubt, could this mean a recall to the team for overlooked frontman David Nugent?
The man with that enviable England honour ofscoring on his debut and never playing again, Nugent certainly has the experience and he's rarely let Boro down when he's been called upon. Alternatively, this could be Karanka's way of keeping his cards close to his chest after playing a relatively similar starting XI over the past month or so.