TONY Mowbray will be without several first-team players for tomorrow's game with Derby County, but the Middlesbrough manager is confident those who come in can get his side back to winning ways.

After suffering their first defeat of the season at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night Boro are hoping to record their first win in five league wins at the Riverside tomorrow afternoon, but they will have to do it without Carl Ikeme, Matthew Bates, Rhys Williams and Kevin Thomson.

Mowbray revealed yesterday that Ikeme, Bates and Thomson are definitely missing, while Williams is also a big doubt after aggravating an injury while on international duty with Australia last week.

Throw into the mix Barry Robson's suspension - the midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card of the season on Tuesday night - and a shoulder complaint from Joe Bennett and Mowbray could be without a big chunk of the side that has enjoyed such an encouraging start to the new campaign.

Given the size of his Boro squad, Mowbray admits his injury problems are beginning to mount up, but the Boro boss insists he has every faith in the players that will come in.

"We have a few problems mounting up but there's players waiting in the wings to come in and do a good job," Mowbray said.

"Kevin's damaged his hamstring, he left the field at Forest. It's disappointing for him because he's had a stop-start career since coming here.

"He's been injured a lot and it's frustrating because he's a talented boy, but he'll be out for a few weeks now.

"Carl Ikeme won't be playing and there's a fairly good chance Matthew won't play and Rhys is also unlikely, but we'll see.

"Joe Bennett also came off with a shoulder injury at half time on Tuesday and we'll have to see if he's fit, but the players that come in have a job to do and I'm confident they will do okay.

"The nature of the defeat on Tuesday was more disappointing that the result itself. We didn't pass the ball as well and we didn't relieve pressure as we have done.

"It's probably too simplistic to say Ikeme, Bates and Williams are very much part of that core in defence that has done so well. We need to put the performance from the other night right but those players might not be available again so those that have come in have a job to do.

"There's no hiding from the fact we have to win more games at home and yet I felt as if we've endeavored to do that in every game. We have another opportunity to do that against Derby this weekend and hopefully the players that go out can produce a performance and result."

Seb Hines is set to continue in central defence alongside Stephen McManus after making his first start since August on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old endured a difficult return and Mowbray admits he was forced to bring the defender in quicker than he originally wanted but the Boro boss believes he will improve as each game goes by.

He said: "I think there were spells when he looked like he'd been out for a long time but also spells where we got what he can bring to the side with his bravery, honestly and mobility. He was like a blocking machine in the second half.

"Seb needs to get up to speed but I think he's got exceptionally good quality. He hasn't played a lot of regular football in his career. He's got fabulous attributes to his game.

"I had to throw him in the other night and I think it was a little bit before his time but I had to given the injuries but he'll be better for the game."