MIDDLESBROUGH have been rocked by news that James Morrison will be ruled out of action for up to eight weeks.

The Boro midfielder went under the surgeon's knife on Tuesday to repair a double hernia and now joins long-term injured Gaizka Mendieta, Mark Viduka, George Boateng and Ugo Ehigou on the sidelines.

Morrison scored the equaliser in Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup clash at the Riverside Stadium on Thursday evening against Grazer AK, but didn't reappear for the second half. The 18-year-old was sent for scans immediately after the Teessiders' 2-1 victory after he complained of feeling some discomfort and the results revealed the worst.

A club spokesman said: "James Morrison will be out for six to eight weeks. It is a bilateral sportsman's hernia, which was operated on yesterday."

The Darlington-born teenager has featured in 21 games this season and netted three goals in the process.

Andrew Davies is on the verge of sealing a move to Coca Cola Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

The Middlesbrough defender was a big hit at Loftus Road during a month-long loan spell this year, when he made four appearances. The 20-year-old had to make an early return to Teesside, however, when he sustained an ankle injury.

Sources in London believe the fee will be the club's highest since former boss Gerry Francis paid £650,000 for Sunderland defender Richard Ord six years ago.

Manager Ian Holloway has been a big admirer of Davies but had given up all hope of signing the Stockton born youngster when the cash-strapped club had a bid rejected by Steve McClaren this week.

The QPR board were determined to back Holloway's judgment, however, and pooled all of their resources to swoop for the coveted defender.

"When I first got him on loan I didn't believe for one minute he would be available," admitted Holloway.

"I think he is very good. He is calm and effects the players around him. I'm delighted I will have him. He can also play left-back and right-back."

Rangers were tight-lipped about how they were able to afford Davies, but chief executive Mark Devlin said he was grateful to a number of our shareholders "who have supplied the funds to enable us to buy a player of this calibre".

If Davies agrees personal terms and passes a medical, he would be available for this weekend's game at Reading.

Meanwhile, Stewart Downing has hailed the bravery of team mate Danny Graham after he put his head where it hurts to level the scores in Sunday's Premiership match at the Riverside against Charlton.

Graham's introduction eight minutes before the end was a last throw of the dice by McClaren as he gambled on salvaging a point against the Addicks.

The 19-year-old Geordie did not disappoint his manager as he came up trumps to preserve Boro's five-match unbeaten run.

Downing revealed it was typical of what he has come to expect from his fearless team-mate.

"He was a little bit disappointed that he missed a good chance against Blackburn but it took a bit of bravery to score that one on Sunday," said the England international.

"But that's Danny for you, he gives 100 per cent and I'm pleased for him. He's feeling the affects now but it was a great goal for us and he'll be pretty pleased with the way he took it."

* Aston Villa fans are planning a 'Show Doug The Red Card' protest against club chairman Doug Ellis during Saturday's home Barclays Premiership clash with Middlesbrough.

Villa Fans Combined (VFC) will be handing out 20,000 red cards prior to the game for supporters to hold up to demonstrate that they ''have had enough of the mediocrity, underachievement and lack of backing given to the managers of the club over the past 22 years''.

VFC believe Ellis has gone back on his word to make funds available for strengthening the squad.

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