Injury relief for Boro

Middlesbrough have been boosted by the news Jeremie Aliadiere didn't suffer a broken bone in his leg during the FA Cup win over Barrow.

The Frenchman was stretchered off in the first half of the 2-1 third round win at the Riverside and it was feared that he had picked up a fractured fibula. However, following an X-ray, it appears that the injury is not as severe as first feared.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate told the Evening Gazette: "Jeremie has had an X-ray and it looks as if it is nothing worse than deep bruising.

"We will continue to monitor him, but hopefully we will have him back before too long."

Despite the good news, Aliadiere is not likely to be fit in time for Boro's massive Tees-Wear derby against Sunderland at the Riverside on Saturday. However Gary O'Neil and Julio Arca should be back following injury and suspension respectively.