Tony Pulis is expected to make several changes as the Middlesbrough boss welcomes former club Crystal Palace to the Riverside on Wednesday in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Boro have drawn their last two Sky Bet Championship games but Pulis, as he has in previous rounds, is likely to rotate his squad.

Forward Ashley Fletcher scored a hat-trick in an under-23 game last week and will be pushing to start alongside other fringe players such as Grant Leadbitter and Danny Batth.

Ryan Shotton (knee) remains sidelined but Pulis has no other fresh injury concerns.

Palace are still without Christian Benteke, Joel Ward and Scott Dann for the trip to the north-east.

Striker Benteke (knee) is likely to be out until the new year while defender Ward is still troubled by a muscular problem. Dann (knee) is expected back in the next month.

Midfielder Max Meyer, who started in the previous two rounds against Swansea and West Brom, could come back into the side.

Jason Puncheon came off the bench in Sunday's draw with Arsenal and will be keen to play.