Boro's Under-23s return to PL2 action at Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).
Mark Tinkler's youngsters stunned QPR in their last outing to earn a 5-0 Premier League cup victory, a ruthless showing in which they scored all five goals in the first 45 minutes.
Midfielder Isaac Fletcher returned from injury to captain the side and got two of the goals, while there was also a brace for Calum Kavanagh, with Pharrell Willis notching the other.
Now, they travel to the Midlands looking to build on that display with what would be a first league win since November.
Hosts Villa are up in fifth in the PL2 table. Managed by cup-winning Boro legend George Boateng, they edged the last meeting of the sides by a 2-1 scoreline at Heritage Park back in August - Fletcher again on the scoresheet for Boro that day.