Middlesbrough look set to welcome back Croatian international Alen Boksic after hinting that the striker will return to training either today or Thursday.
The 32-year-old missed Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Charlton with a bruised foot which he suffered during Croatia's 2-0 defeat in the Euro 2004 qualifier against Bulgaria last week.
Slovakian Szilard Nemeth and Cameroon international Joseph Job were handed the job of supporting record signing Massimo Maccarone on Sunday.
However Boksic, whose career has been plagued by injuries one of which cost him his place in the 1998 World Cup finals when Croatia reached the last four, had started the two Premiership victories before being injured.
Middlesbrough manager Steve McLaren has also had encouraging news of summer capture George Boateng, as the Dutch midfielder is also expected to resume training after suffering a knock to his ankle against Charlton.
The defeat at Charlton ended a run of four successive wins for Boro, who nevertheless lie in fifth place in the Premiership table after a hugely encouraging start to the season.
However, they face Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea in their next four league games, a run which may well have a greater say in where they finish the campaign.