MIDDLESBROUGH will be boosted by the return of striker Marvin Emnes as they look to secure their Championship status at Hull City today.

Emnes has missed Boro's last three outings after the Football Association handed him a three-match ban for kicking out at Sheffield United's Michael Doyle earlier this month.

That along with a hamstring injury to Leroy Lita had left Boro boss Tony Mowbray with Scott McDonald as his only fit striker.

Top scorer Lita made his comeback as a second-half substitute in Tuesday night's defeat to Burnley, so it will be a big boost for Mowbray to have his attacking trio back for the trip to the KC Stadium.

The Boro boss admitted the recent absence of Lita and Emnes forced him to change the shape of his side, something he feels was behind the disappointing display at Turf Moor.

A win for the Teessiders will guarantee their place in next season's Championship, and Mowbray feels the return of his strike pair could be crucial.

"I think having them back is a big help," said the Boro boss.

"If I'm looking for reason why we under-performed on Tuesday, it was possibly the change of shape and lack of personnel.

"I could have gone with Andy Halliday up top but it's not really fair on the boy to play him as a centre forward when he's not a centre forward. He's young lad, he's just turned 19 and we couldn't put that burden on him.

"We had to change the shape but it didn't help the team. We didn't have as many targets to play for, we didn't put them under pressure and we didn't pass the ball well enough, but they are technical things we can put right this week.

"We've more choices up front; Leroy got 25 minutes on the pitch and Marvin is free from suspension, so we have options up top now."

Although Boro will be boosted by the return of their forward men, Mowbray will have to make at least one change, with left-back Joe Bennett missing through illness.

That means Andrew Taylor could revert to his natural position after occupying the left wing since his return from Watford in January.

If Boro do secure their safety today, Mowbray will look to start a series of meetings with his squad ahead of this summer's expected overhaul.

Significant changes are on the cards as the Riverside hierarchy look to reduce the club's wage bill by more than half its current amount, with some big names expected to depart in the close season.

After Tuesday's display at Burnley, suggestions were made that the Boro squad were guilty of taking their foot off the pedal as the season draws to a close, but Mowbray insists that wasn't the case.

"I've been waiting until we can clarify our position," Mowbray said.

"I don't want to talk to players about their immediate futures if they have to turn out and play for us.

"Whichever way the conversation goes I'm sure none of them would play badly, but when you put them on the pitch there's no hiding place for them.

"I will have all the meetings with the players over the next few weeks. They read the papers, so I'm sure they know the predicament of the club.

"Some of them will have questions for me and I'll give them as clear a picture as I can on how I see their futures, but what I do know is that until the phone rings for a footballer there are no decisions to be made."