Schwarzer a major doubt for Boro

Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer is a major doubt for Saturday’s trip to Reading amid fears he has fractured his thumb.

The 35-year-old Australia international damaged his hand in training at the club’s Rockliffe Park headquarters yesterday.

Boro’s medics are still assessing the full extent of the problem, but if the thumb is broken, he will be sidelined for several weeks.

Youngster Ross Turnbull, 22, was withdrawn from the reserve team which played at Bolton last night and is in line to make just his third senior appearance at the Madejski Stadium with Schwarzer’s nominal deputy Brad Jones also injured.

The news came as manager Gareth Southgate also admitted £6m striker Mido may not play again until the New Year after being told to rest his troublesome groin injury.