New signing Merouane Zemmama will not make his Middlesbrough debut in the game. The Morocco midfielder joined Boro from Hibernian on transfer deadline day on a three-year contract but has returned to his homeland while he awaits a visa.
Boss Tony Mowbray also added Bayern Munich II captain Maximilian Haas to his squad on deadline day but it remains to be seen whether the defender will feature.
Mowbray's side were not in action at the weekend as they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round and they have since lost midfielder Gary O'Neil to West Ham.
Seb Hines is set to keep his place in the centre of Boro's defence after impressing against the Lilywhites, partnering Matthew Bates following David Wheater's move to Bolton.
New recruit Joe Garner goes straight into Scunthorpe's squad for the game. The Nottingham Forest striker has joined on loan for the rest of the season as boss Ian Baraclough bolstered his attacking options following Martyn Woolford's expected defection to Bristol City.
Garner impressed at Carlisle and joined Forest in the summer of 2008 and was also on loan at Huddersfield earlier this term, making 16 appearances.
Goalkeeper Joe Murphy looks set to miss out again with the ankle problem but defensive duo Cliff Byrne and Rob Jones are bidding to shake off injuries and could come into contention.
Centre-back David Mirfin has been passed fit for action but rookie defender Niall Canavan, midfielder Michael O'Connor and winger Garry Thompson remain long-term absentees.
