More surgery for Christie

Middlesbrough striker Malcolm Christie must undergo another operation before he can put his injury nightmare behind him.

Christie had been due to launch his comeback in a friendly at Whitby this week but instead his return is likely to be put on hold for another month.

The 26-year-old has suffered three fractures to his leg and foot since initially breaking his leg in a freak training ground accident in November 2003.

Boro manager Steve McClaren told the club’s website www.mfc.co.uk: “Malcolm is going for a minor operation to remove a bit of metal that was put in his leg.

“It is a simple operation and should only set him back two or three weeks. He has been looking very good in training.”