STEVE McCLAREN'S delight at guiding Middlesbrough into the last eight of the FA Cup was overshadowed last night by the severity of Fabio Rochemback's injury.

The midfielder will have scans today on the ankle ligament injury suffered at Preston when the Brazilian fell to the floor under a challenge from Callum Davidson in first half stoppage time.

McClaren fears the worst for his summer signing from Barcelona and revealed immediately after Boro's 2-0 triumph that 'it could be serious'.

After a dreadful start to life in the Premiership for the midfielder, in which he struggled to find any sort of decent form, Rochemback has shown signs of adapting to life in the English league in recent weeks.

But now it would seem he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"It looks like he could have done the ligaments on both sides of his ankle," said McClaren. "It's very disappointing because he was coming into form and will be a big loss for us."

It was after Rochemback had been withdrawn that Boro, who had been on the back foot for all of the first half, changed systems with Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink going on to support Aiyegbeni Yakubu in the final third of the field. Yakubu suddenly burst into life and scored the two goals.

McClaren said: "This was always going to be tough. We didn't play very well and we are the first to admit that. But we ground out a result and we have strikers who can score goals.

"We are through and we are delighted with that. It's the FA Cup and it depends on the draw what our chances of winning it are. We are in the last third of the season and we have a lot to play for.

"We are in trouble in the Premier League and we have to sort that out. There's a long way to go this season and we are playing well and getting results."

Since returning from a five-day training break in Marbella, Boro have lost just once in six matches and the suggestion of dressing room unrest as been quashed.

McClaren feels that no-one should underestimate the importance and value of what that bonding trip did for his squad.

"It's been vital," he said. "We had a disaster against Aston Villa but I have to credit the players for the way they have responded.

"We came under severe criticism after that and have won four games since. There's a great spirit in the dressing room and we look physically stronger."

McClaren also paid tribute to stand-in skipper Chris Riggott, who marshalled a new-look back four exceptionally well.

"Pogatetz was ill on Saturday night but wanted to play and we wanted to rest Southgate," he said. "But in Chris we have someone becoming a leader. His performance and demeanour make him a leader for us now and for the future."

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