GARRY MONK has suffered an attacking blow after learning striker Rudy Gestede is facing a spell on the sidelines.

Boro boss Monk is expected to clarify the situation on Thursday afternoon at his pre-match press conference, but the Benin international is known to have had minor surgery on a leg problem during the international break.

Middlesbrough resisted hefty offers from Leeds United before the transfer window closed for the powerful striker and he has been used regularly by Monk.

Now Gestede, a £6m buy in January, is facing a lay-off, with the problem which was suffered earlier this week and not believed to have taken place when they faced Preston North End, contrary to reports.

No timescale has been put on the injury at this stage, but he does look set to miss a number of matches until it has been deemed whether or not the operation has been a success.

For starters the former Blackburn and Aston Villa front-man looks certain to be absent from this Saturday’s trip to Bolton and then Tuesday’s visit to his former home, Villa Park.

Monk will have to reshuffle his forward line, with Patrick Bamford, Britt Assombalonga, Ashley Fletcher, Adama Traore, Stewart Downing and, now, latest signing Marvin Johnson competing for the front three positions.

Middlesbrough’s £9m striker Martin Braithwaite has been missing since the opening weekend of the season with a hamstring injury and he had expected to return after the international break.

But there has been no indication as to whether Braithwaite will be fit enough to figure soon and Monk is preparing his squad for this Saturday’s trip to the Macron Stadium.

The injury to Gestede could not have come at a worse time. He has been enjoying life under Monk and has displayed, arguably, his best football since moving from Aston Villa at the start of the year.

He has scored three goals in 26 appearances and he will hope to make a quick recovery, knowing Middlesbrough turned down a £5.5m offer from Leeds for him last month to highlight how highly he is valued at the Riverside now.