New Zealand international striker Rory Fallon is racing to be fit for second-from-bottom Plymouth Argyle's trip to Middlesbrough.

Fallon 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 picking up injuries at the weekend.