Mendieta news a blow for Boro

Middlesbrough were tonight rocked by the news that Spanish midfielder Gazika Mendieta will miss the rest of the season after breaking a bone in his foot in training.

The 32-year-old, an unused substitute in yesterday’s 1-0 Premiership win at Manchester City, suffered a fractured metatarsal – the same injury which has sidelined England striker Michael Owen since December – today three days ahead of the club’s vital UEFA Cup quarter-final, second leg clash with Basle.