Huddersfield Town may be up against Uruguay star Christian Stuani at Middlesbrough.
The promotion-chasing Teessiders could turn to their 29-year-old top scorer in the first of three key home games.
Forward Stuani sat out the 3-2 Championship win at QPR on Friday having only just returned from international duty.
“He is fit but he only arrived (back) on Thursday,” explained boss Aitor Karanka, who went with Albert Adomah and Stewart Downing out wide in his 4-2-3-1 system at Loftus Road.
“I didn’t think it was fair for a player who’s been training with us for two weeks to stay at home and Cristian, who has been with his national team, to play at QPR.
“But he’ll be ready for Tuesday.”
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Stuani has netted 10 times this season with former England striker David Nugent contributing eight goals.
Second-placed Boro have notched 51 times in 38 matches, one less than 18th-placed Town, who have played a game more.
But they have conceded only 25, the second lowest tally in the division behind Hull City (23).
And only six of those goals have been on their own turf, where 13 wins have been picked up in 18 league outings and only Bristol City and Nottingham Forest nave won.
Karanka’s side, who lost to Norwich City in last season’s play-off final, trail leaders Burnley by three points and are one above third-placed Brighton and Hove Albion with a game in hand on both.
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“Every single game we need to win now,” said the Spaniard.
“We have to forget what the opponent is because we need three points every single game.
“For me Huddersfield is now as important as the game at Wembley last season.
“They are another three massive points for us and every single game will be the same now until the end of the season.
“The only important thing is the next game.”
