New Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan will be without Jeremie Aliadiere for his first game in charge against Plymouth.

Strachan was officially unveiled at the Riverside on Monday and has been working tirelessly with his new squad all week as he looks to get off to a winning start against struggling Argyle.

However, his cause has not been helped by the news Aliadiere faces six weeks on the sidelines having undergone an ankle operation, leaving an already threadbare forward line looking even more lightweight.

On-loan forward Caleb Folan is still missing with a torn hamstring, while long-term absentees Chris Riggott and Andrew Taylor (both ankle) and Matthew Bates (knee) also remain out.

Experienced midfielder Julio Arca returned to the bench after suspension for last weekend's 2-2 draw at Preston and he will again be in contention, although Strachan may opt to hand the Argentinian a starting role.

Skipper Emanuel Pogatetz could also find himself with a starting place having been an unused substitute for the last two games after his recovery from knee surgery.

New Zealand international striker Rory Fallon is a major doubt for second-from-bottom Plymouth's trip to Middlesbrough.

He suffered a calf strain in the 1-1 home draw with Ipswich last weekend and faces a late fitness test.

Argyle manager Paul Sturrock will be without on-loan Cardiff defender Darcy Blake, who starts a three-match ban after his sending-off against the Tractor Boys.

He also has problems at right-back, with David Gray doubtful after picking up an ankle injury against Ipswich, and David McNamee almost certainly ruled out after rolling his ankle in the midweek reserve-team game against Exeter.

If those two are absent, Karl Duguid is set to fill in at right-back, but central defender Shane Lowry and midfielder Jim Paterson have trained this week after incurring injuries at the weekend.