MIDDLESBROUGH are expected to include 20-year-old striker Alex Nimely in their squad for this afternoon's Championship away game at Crystal Palace.

Boro officials rushed through the Manchester City forward's three-month loan yesterday in an attempt to ensure his availability for today's trip to Selhurst Park.

The Liberia-born youngster is not expected to start in south London, but his presence on the substitutes' bench will add some much-needed depth to the club's attacking resources.

An England Under-20 international, Nimely's only involvement with City's senior side came in a 6-1 Premier League win over Burnley in April 2010.

"Alex is a lad we've been watching for a while," said Boro boss Tony Mowbray. "He picked up an injury in the summer but has been back training for a few weeks now.

"I've spoken to David Platt (Man City coach) and Brian Marwood (City's football administrator) and they've allowed him to come here on loan.

"Having him here will give us some depth on the bench and some competition up front. I'm sure he'll be looking to impress and force his way into the team."

Mowbray has fond memories of matches against Crystal Palace as his first win as Boro boss came against the Eagles last November.

Back then, the Teessiders were languishing in 23rd place in the Championship table. Today, they kick off in third position, and Mowbray feels the club has made giant strides since he replaced Gordon Strachan.

"I didn't see much of what was happening back then, so I can't really comment on what things were like," he said. "But I know what I want. I like to give my club an identity."Its' a combination of things, on and off the pitch. I'm strong on human qualities. I like to be surrounded by good, honest, hard-working people.

"On the pitch, I think my teams over the last seven years have generally been identified as teams that can pass the ball well, move it around the pitch well, score goals and play with a certain flair."I think we're starting to get there. We're not the finished article yet but we're getting there. It's about the repetition of good habits in training and I think the players are starting to understand that."

A win this afternoon would establish a new club record of six successive away victories in the league. It would also stretch Boro's unbeaten start to the season to nine matches in all competitions.

Mowbray has included fit-again Kevin Thomson in his squad for today's game, but Julio Arca is unlikely to feature after picking up a foot injury.