McDonald blow for Boro boss Mowbray (From The Northern Echo)

McDonald blow for Boro boss Mowbray

11:04am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport By Steph Clark

HAVING lost Scott McDonald for up to eight weeks with a knee injury, Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray is expected to step up his attempts to bring in reinforcements through the loan market.

Mowbray was dealt a fresh injury blow in the wake of Wednesday night’s draw at Leicester City with the news that McDonald had suffered a medial knee ligament injury.

The Australian international, who scored Boro’s first goal in the 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium, is nursing a similar injury to that of Nicky Bailey and Mowbray could be without the striker for up to 13 games.

Despite the arrival of Lukas Jutkiewicz during the transfer window, Mowbray is still light in attack with the former Coventry City man and Marvin Emnes being his only fit senior strikers with Bart Ogbeche still struggling with a hamstring strain.

Emnes was withdrawn as a precaution in the second half on Wednesday night after complaining of a hamstring twinge, but Mowbray is hopeful his top scorer will be available when Crystal Palace visit the Riverside tomorrow.

Given the extensive injury list on Teesside at the moment, Mowbray is expected to step up his search to bring in new faces when the emergency loan window opens next week.

Prior to Tuesday night’s transfer deadline, the Boro boss revealed he would be more likely to boost his squad through temporary signings having spent £1.5m on Jutkiewicz last month.

And now that he has lost McDonald for the foreseeable future, a striker is sure to be high on his list as he looks to maintain his side’s push for a play-off place.

Wednesday’s draw lifted the Teessiders back into the play-off places after temporarily dropping to seventh.

The result also saw Boro claim their first point since New Year’s Eve after suffering three straight league defeats to Blackpool, Burnley and bottom club Coventry.

Jason Steele returned for Boro having missed the last three games due to groin and wrist problems and the goalkeeper admits it was a relief to end their losing run.

With less than five minutes of normal time remaining, Boro were on course for their first win of the year after Tony McMahon’s free-kick had put the Teessiders ahead.