Ehiogu set for lengthy absence

Middlesbrough have been dealt a blow with confirmation Ugo Ehiogu sustained knee ligament damage during their Barclays Premiership draw with Everton.

The defender was starting only this third league game of the season on Sunday, after recovering from a persistent calf problem.

He began limping early in the 1-1 draw after an accidental clash with his own goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and was replaced by Colin Cooper in the 17th minute.

Boro’s official website, www.mfc.co.uk, revealed today the injury is likely to keep the former England international out “for some time”.

The injury leaves Boro short of players in the centre of defence.

Chris Riggott was today ruled out of Saturday’s trip to Norwich with a hamstring problem which is expected to keep him on the sidelines for another two or three weeks.

That leaves captain Gareth Southgate and veteran Cooper as the club’s only fit centre-halves with first-team experience.

Andrew Davies was hurt during his debut on his month’s loan to QPR on Friday, while Stuart Parnaby has returned to training after injury.

In addition, Dutch international defender Michael Reiziger has injured his little toe and is struggling for Saturday – although it has not been confirmed whether there is a fracture.

Highly-rated teenage pairing Matthew Bates and David Wheater – both expected to feature in the team for Thursday’s FA Youth Cup clash with Sunderland at the Riverside – could be called upon as cover.