Middlesbrough's Tony McMahon is set to be sidelined for the next few months.
Middlesbrough have suffered a blow with the news that exciting defender Tony McMahon is set to be sidelined for the next few months.The England Under-19 starlet made a huge impact last season after making the breakthrough from the club's famed academy.
He had been looking to further press his claims for a first team role this season, but he has now dislocated his right shoulder which could see him out of action until the back end of this year.
The 19-year-old will have an operation within the next few weeks which will see him sidelined for at least two months.
Boro's options at right back are starting to look sparse as Stuart Parnaby has also been told he must rest a knee problem - leaving Michael Reiziger as Steve McClaren's only option, which may persuade him to push ahead with a deal for Abel Xavier.
Boro have also admitted defeat in their bid to get Emanuel Pogatetz in their squad for Saturday's game with Tottenham.
The Austrian has just seen his six-month world-wide ban reduced by the Russian Football Union - but international clearance has yet to work its way to England.
Boro would have liked to have used Pogatetz, as Ugo Ehiogu is suspended and Chris Riggott will not return to training following a knee problem until next week - meaning Matthew Bates, yet another youth product, is likely to make his full debut.
Further bad news for Boro is that James Morrison is struggling with an ankle strain and he appears unlikely to make the trip to North London.
Some better news on the injury front for Boro is that Malcolm Christie is set to start training again after minor surgery earlier this month.
