Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney and Morgan Whittaker are both "better" and have not been ruled out of the side's huge game against Ipswich Town on Sunday (12:00 BST), boss Kim Hellberg says.
Midfielder Hackney has missed four league games with a calf injury, while top scorer Whittaker has not played in their past five.
Boro are also missing midfielder Leo Castledine with a leg issue, and left-back Alex Bangura, who has struggled for fitness all season.
Winger Sammy Silvera returned to the bench in the 1-0 loss to Portsmouth after an 11 game absence with a stress fracture.
But Hellberg is hopeful that his key players can make their comeback in the four remaining games of the regular season.
"Missing them is a big thing but all the players are getting closer to play," Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees.
"I hope that all those players that have been injured in a way will play a part in some of those games and then it's just a matter of time how quickly it is."
Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds
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