Middlesbrough believe Jeremie Aliadiere has avoided serious injury after being carried off in the win over Barrow.
But Barrow midfielder suffers double break
Middlesbrough believe striker Jeremie Aliadiere has avoided serious injury after being carried off in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Barrow.
Aliadiere was stretchered off in the first off against the non-league side, with goals from Afonso Alves either side of the interval securing a 2-1 success for the Premier League club against their non-league opponents.
But Barrow's day was soured with the news that midfielder Mike Pearson suffered a double break to his right leg in a challenge with Marvin Emnes.
Southgate said: "We think Jeremie is okay. He's had an X-ray and we feared a possible fractured fibula but it seems it might just be deep bruising.
"The injuries are the only sour note of the day."
Southgate praised the performance of the Blue Square Premier strugglers who rode their luck and set up a grandstand finish when Jason Walker headed home 10 minutes from time.
Lessons
Southgate added: "In the middle of the transfer window - which I believe is everything that is wrong about the game - we saw today everything that is right about the game.
"We've seen a team from the lower divisions come and ride their luck in front of 7,000 of their fans and it's been a healthy football day, and the other side of it for me is rubbish.
"I knew it would be far from easy and although we had chances to win by six or seven it could have been 2-2 and that's the FA Cup. When their keeper made his saves I thought there was a punchline coming and it came.
"We made it difficult for ourselves for the last 10 minutes and we should have been out of sight by then.
"We've learned some good lessons to take forward. We're not ruthless enough in either box and that's what we need to win matches."
Hospital
Meanwhile, Barrow co-manager Dave Bayliss confirmed the extent of Pearson's injury, adding: "It's been a great day and that has put a massive dent in it. It's a double break and he will stay in hospital in Middlesbrough overnight. We're gutted for him."
Bayliss admitted his side had ridden their luck to give themselves a chance of snatching a draw in the last 10 minutes and reserved special praise for keeper Alan Martin.
Martin was only re-signed on loan from Leeds on Thursday and kept Barrow in the game with a series of stunning second-half saves to deny the likes of Emnes, Adam Johnson and Stewart Downing.
Bayliss added: "Alan's been with us for three months and he's been fantastic. He's kept us in games and we knew he had to play well to come here and get something. The lad's got a really big future.
"It's always disappointing to lose but it's no disgrace to come here and get beaten 2-1. If they'd taken their chances it could have been double figures but they didn't and it made the last five minutes a little bit edgy."
