CALUM CHAMBERS and George Friend will both miss Middlesbrough's Premier League game at Crystal Palace this afternoon.

The defensive pair have both been ruled out through injury, forcing Aitor Karanka into a major reshuffle at Selhurst Park.

Chambers is struggling with a foot injury, while Friend has a calf problem, and despite travelling as part of the squad, neither player will be involved against the Eagles.

Karanka is expected to revert to a five-man defence, with Fabio Da Silva and Stewart Downing playing as wing-backs.

Daniel Ayala retains his place, having started the FA Cup win over Oxford United, and will play alongside Ben Gibson and Bernardo Espinosa at the heart of the backline.

Further up the field, there is no place for Adam Clayton, with Adam Forshaw partnering Marten de Roon at the heart of midfield.

Gaston Ramirez and Cristhian Stuani will fill the wide positions, playing on either side of lone striker Alvaro Negredo.

CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1): Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Cabaye; Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend; Benteke.

Subs: Speroni (gk), Dann, Schlupp, Delaney, McArthur, Kaikai, Campbell.

MIDDLESBROUGH (5-4-1): Valdes; Fabio, Bernardo, Ayala, Gibson, Downing; Stuani, de Roon, Forshaw, Ramirez; Negredo.

Subs: Guzan (gk), Fry, Clayton, Leadbitter, Guedioura, Traore, Gestede.