Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates has suffered a torn cruciate ligament.
Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates is likely to be out for months after suffering a torn cruciate ligament.
Bates has been on loan at Ipswich Town and picked up the knee injury during Saturday's Championship defeat at Barnsley.
Ipswich were fearing the teenager had damaged ligaments and he underwent tests on Monday to discover the extent of the problem.
The results have shown Bates has torn his cruciate ligament and partially torn his medial ligament.
He is now likely to be absent for several months and the 19-year-old outlined his determination to return as soon as possible.
"I was feeling absolutely fine during the game, no problem at all," Bates told Middlesbrough's official website.
"I went on a run down the line and got a bit of a tug from behind.
"The next thing I knew I was down on the ground in agony. I landed awkwardly, it was as if something had clicked out of place.
"It's really frustrating because I was just beginning to enjoy getting some regular first-team football, but I'll be back as soon as I can."
Bates was due to stay at Portman Road until the New Year, but will now return to The Riverside to begin his rehabilitation.
