Season over for Alves

Middlesbrough’s hopes of escaping relegation were dealt a blow today when it was confirmed record signing Afonso Alves will not play again this season.

Tests carried out this morning revealed the Brazilian, a £12.7m capture from Heerenveen, fractured a metatarsal during last night’s 3-1 derby defeat at Newcastle and will miss Saturday’s home clash with Aston Villa and the final day trip to West Ham.