WHELAN INJURED IN BORO ROMP
Goals by Joseph-Desire Job, Alen Boksic and Whelan (pictured) gave Boro a comfortable win, but manager Steve McClaren saw the latter carried off on a stretcher moments after finding the target.
England manager Sven Goran Eriksson was at The Riverside, and he saw Gareth Southgate produce a polished display on his home debut.
Cameroon ace Job, who appears eager to make up for lost time after failing to shine in his first season, was in fine form all afternoon and he opened the scoring with a confident finish from a long Paul Ince pass.
Job turned provider on 26 minutes, linking up with Ince to set Boksic free on goal and he eventually bundled the ball home.
Whelan completed the scoring before half-time, collecting a Robbie Mustoe pass before beating the keeper, but he collapsed after putting the ball in the net.
The injury to Whelan is a concern for Boro, who confirmed after the game that the former Leeds United man was to have X-rays to ascertain the damage to his right foot.
Boro failed to add to the score after the interval, but McClaren appeared pleased with the overall performance.
"I'm always satisfied when we win a game of football, whether it's a five-a-side match or a Saturday, but to score three goals and keep a clean sheet was satisfying," he said.
