Middlesbrough have reinstated Tomas Mejias, George Friend, Kenneth Omeruo, Adam Reach and Kike to their starting XI for today's Championship clash at home to Reading.

The quintet were rested for the Boro's League Cup win against Preston North End in midweek.

Emilio Nsue and Jonathan Woodgate remain sidelined, but Ben Gibson makes the bench after recovering from a hamstring strain.

For Reading, midfielder Oliver Norwood makes his full league debut, but Shaun Cummings is out after picking up an injury in midweek.

Michael Hector, Jordan Obita and Craig Tanner pass late fitness tests for the Royals, who currently have 11 absentees.

Middlesbrough: Mejias, Abella, Omeruo, Hines, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton, Adomah, Reach, Tomlin, Kike
Subs: Dimi, Ledesma, Gibson, Williams, Whitehead, Ayala, Bamford

Reading: Federici, Obita, Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Kuhl, Norwood, Edwards, Taylor, Mackie, Cox
Subs: Andersen, Long, Cooper, Akpan, Stacey, Fosu, Tanner