ALUN Armstrong last night ended a three-year nightmare on Teesside by completing an £800,000 move to Ipswich and leaving Middlesbrough with no fit strikers to face Sunderland.

Armstrong goes straight into the Ipswich squad for the test at Anfield on Sunday while Boro struggle to find a front man to start at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

Their only fit attacker - apart from Armstrong - was Noel Whelan. But last night he was also virtually ruled out of the derby showdown.

Whelan had a dental operation this week and manager Bryan Robson revealed yesterday: "It has left him very doubtful."

Boro had eight front men in the squad this season and the catalogue of injuries left Robson reeling yesterday. "It seems to be never-ending.

"There's just one different injury after another," he said.

But he insisted the decision to allow Armstrong to leave yesterday was correct.

"Sometimes you've got to do what is best in the long term for the club and the player. Alun's been unlucky with injuries here but it is right that he goes," he added.

The 25-year-old Geordie joined Boro in a £1.6m deal from Stockport nearly three years ago but suffered two serious injuries that required surgery three times and restricted him to 33 appearances.

And last night he said: "I badly needed a fresh start and this is a great opportunity for me.

"I wasn't going to get a game at Middlesbrough and it was frustrating.

"But I'll have a chance of playing in the Premiership at Ipswich and I can't wait to get started."

Ipswich will pay an initial £500,000 plus a further £300,000 later, depending on appearances, and manager George Burley said: "Alun can fulfill his potential here as a Premiership player.

"He has been unfortunate with injuries but for six months he's been back fit and outstanding in the reserves."

That assessment will not help Terry Venables, who starts as first-team coach this morning facing a deepening crisis - but that has been a familiar position at the Riverside this season.

Venables will be handed a list that shows Alen Boksic, Joseph Job and Andy Campbell ruled out and Carlos Marinelli suspended.

Hamilton Ricard has an arm in plaster and Brian Deane is rated 'doubtful' with knee trouble.

Only Ricard and Deane have any chance of being fit for the Stadium of Light showdown - and the Colombian has not played in the Premiership for a month.

But Robson yesterday called on his players to show some heart and battle their way out of a slump that has produced just one point from the last 24 - and warned them not rely on Venables conjuring up some instant magic solution.

"Terry has vast experience at every level and his reputation is as good as anyone on the training pitch, that's what he brings," said Robson.

"He will have his own ideas but the players have got to show some fighting spirit. And so far they have reacted to the news in the way I'd hoped."