The 22-year-old is expected to replace former Charlton defender Luke Young, who will be rested ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League game against Birmingham. Centre-back Chris Riggott, who missed Sunday's Tyne-Tees derby with a back injury, is still sidelined.
If Boro manager Gareth Southgate decides to rest England defender Jonathan Woodgate, who came back to play against Newcastle despite only six days' training, then his place could go to 19-year-old England youth international Seb Hines. Tuncay Sanli and Dong-Gook Lee, still awaiting their first goals for Boro, are both expected to start.
Northampton manager Stuart Gray is set to name an unchanged side for the clash.
Left-back Danny Jackman will miss out as he remains a fortnight away from a return from the medial ligament injury he picked up in the recent defeat at Brighton.
That will see on-loan Wolves man Daniel Jones continue at full-back with Andy Holt in front of him down the left-hand side of midfield as the Cobblers seek their first away win of the season.
Striker Andy Kirk failed to score for the first time this season in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Yeovil but has shaken off a nagging groin strain and is at full fitness again.
Former Norwich man Ian Henderson is pushing for a recall on the right wing after he was replaced by Joe Burnell for tactical reasons against the Glovers.
Midfielder Giles Coke has yet to make his debut since a summer move from Mansfield and is unlikely to feature before the end of September as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Davies, Taylor, Hines, Woodgate, Wheater, Boateng, Cattermole, Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Johnson, Tuncay, Dong-Gook, Aliadiere, Mido.
Sporting Life