IF MIDDLESBROUGH are going to go all the way in the UEFA Cup they will have to do it without Gaizka Mendieta after the Spaniard broke his foot in a freak training ground accident.

Ahead of the crucial return leg of their quarter-final with Swiss side Basle on Thursday night, Mendieta could be out of action for up to four months, meaning he won't play any further part in Boro's FA and UEFA Cup pushes.

It is devastating news for the club and for the midfielder as manager Steve McClaren had hoped to have all of his best players fit for such a crucial run-in.

The massive blow could not have come at a worse time, although McClaren does have the right-midfield talent of lively teenager James Morrison to call on.

The details of how Mendieta sustained the problem have not been confirmed, but he suffered a broken metatarsal on the training ground and will now need an operation to repair his foot.

He was an unused substitute in the win over Manchester City on Sunday.

He recently turned 32 and has already had to deal with one dreadful injury problem since arriving from Lazio on a five-year deal in August 2003.

In October 2004 he was ruled out for the remainder of that campaign when he had to undergo surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament after damaging it in a challenge with Portsmouth's Patrik Berger.

He only returned from that lay-off when Liverpool arrived at the Riverside Stadium on the opening day of the current campaign.

Mendieta has been a pivotal figure in Boro's charge to the last eight and he was instrumental when they clinched the Carling Cup in 2004.

Now McClaren will be pinning all his hopes on Morrison repeating his heroics since bursting on the scene last season for the final five weeks of the season.

Thursday, as Boro look to overturn a 2-0 Basle lead from the first leg, will be the first of two important cup quarter-finals with Charlton due to visit Teesside for an FA Cup replay a week tomorrow.

McClaren is also sweating on the fitness of starlet Lee Cattermole ahead of the Basle clash.

He picked up an ankle injury at City and faces a race to be fit.

A Boro spokesman revealed the 18-year-old midfielder had a scan at the club's Rockcliffe Park training ground at Hurworth and the outcome will be known this morning.

The Stockton-born teenager missed the first leg at St Jakob Park through suspension but gave his manager and supporters a taste of what Boro missed in a sparkling display at the Eastlands Stadium at the weekend.

He netted his first Premiership goal when he headed home Stewart Downing's left-wing cross two minutes before half-time.

Franck Queudrue is another doubt after sustaining a dead leg following a Darius Vassell challenge after only five minutes, although McClaren said he was 'optimistic' after the City victory.

Andrew Taylor is on standby to fill his boots as the club's only other left back.

Emanuel Pogatetz, is out for the season with a fractured cheek bone.

Mark Schwarzer is McClaren's only other major concern. The Australian international was laid low after he picked up a viral infection prior to the Teessiders' trip to Manchester at the weekend.

Gareth Southgate is back in the mix after he trained yesterday with no reaction to his calf and back problems.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa's Jlloyd Samuel and Crystal Palace's Ben Watson have again been linked with moves to the Riverside.

* Tickets are still available for home games with Basle, Charlton and Newcastle.

The club's ticket office is open from 9.30am until 5pm today and tomorrow and from 9.30am until kick-off on Thursday. Or you can call the ticket line on: 08450701575 or apply online at www.mfc.co.uk.

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