Middlesbrough vs Cardiff City - Ben Gibson and Adam Clayton missing for Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka will be without Ben Gibson and Adam Clayton through suspension for Tuesday night's Sky Bet Championship showdown with Cardiff.

Defender Gibson will sit out after being sent off for a second bookable offence during last week's goalless draw at Leeds, while midfielder Clayton will miss the first of two games as a result of his 10th yellow card of the season at Elland Road.

Karanka, who took his players on a warm weather training break to Marbella last week, could have central defender Daniel Ayala and full-back George Friend back at his disposal after an ankle problem and a fractured shoulder blade respectively, although both are short of match fitness.

Alex Baptiste is stepping up his bid for a return after a double leg fracture, while fellow defender Damia Abella continues to work his way back from a knee ligament injury.

Cardiff striker Sammy Ameobi returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension.

But after Saturday's 4-1 win over Brighton saw manager Russell Slade select a side without a recognised centre-forward, Ameobi may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Peter Whittingham's two goals guarantee him a start while man of the match Lex Immers scored for his second successive game - almost a month apart - as Slade found a formation which worked.

Winger Craig Noone has missed the last four matches with a chest injury but defender Sean Morrison is looking to force his way back into the squad after a knee injury in December.