DANIEL AYALA and Grant Leadbitter return to Middlesbrough's starting line-up for this evening's crucial promotion clash with Norwich City.

Boro kick off at Carrow Road knowing they almost certainly have to claim at least a point if they are to keep their hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League alive.

Ayala's return is a major boost, with the centre-half having recovered from the injury problem that kept him out of the midweek win over Wolves.

He replaces Jonathan Woodgate, who broke down with a hamstring injury on Tuesday night and is expected to miss the final three games of the season.

Leadbitter returns from the two-match suspension that kept him out of the wins over Rotherham and Wolves, and replaces Adam Forshaw at the heart of midfield.

Albert Adomah is fit to retain his place in the starting line-up despite being stretchered off the field on Tuesday night, and it remains to be seen whether Lee Tomlin or Jelle Vossen kicks off on the left-hand side.

Norwich (4-4-1-1): Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson; Howson, Tettey, Dorrans, Johnson; Hoolahan; Jerome.

Subs: Rudd (gk), Grabban, Hooper, Redmond, R Bennett, O'Neil, Odjidja-Ofoe.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Kalas, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton; Adomah, Vossen, Tomlin; Bamford.

Subs: Ripley (gk), Reach, Amorebieta, Nsue, Forshaw, Whitehead, Kike.