Hoyte facing four-week lay-off

Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte will be out of action for four weeks after undergoing an operation on knee cartilage, it has been announced.

The 24-year-old full-back underwent surgery on Friday a day after manager Gareth Southgate revealed that course of action would have to be taken sooner rather than later.

Hoyte, a £3m summer signing from Arsenal, is expected to be sidelined until the middle of next month.

That could mean he misses at least six games, including the Premier League trip to Manchester United on December 29, the Tees-Wear derby clash with Sunderland and the FA Cup third round tie at home to non-league Barrow.