SAM McQUEEN is facing a long-term lay-off after Tony Pulis confirmed the Middlesbrough defender had damaged his cruciate knee ligaments in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.

McQueen was stretchered from the field in the first half of the game at the Riverside, and scans have subsequently revealed serious ligament damage.

The full-back could be sidelined for the rest of the campaign, and Middlesbrough’s medical staff are currently discussing his situation with their counterparts at his parent club, Southampton.

Pulis said: “I’m afraid the news is not very good. He’s done his cruciate ligaments in his knee. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re going to have Sam available for a long time.

“The doctors are talking to the medical people down at Southampton, so we’ll see what they decide to do. It might be that he stays here to recover, or it might be that he returns to his parent club.”

Boro will also be without Daniel Ayala when they travel to Stoke City tomorrow, with the centre-half having picked up his fifth booking of the season in the draw with Derby County.

Ryan Shotton remains unavailable, and Boro will also make a late decision on a couple of the players who have been struggling with illness for most of the week.

Pulis said: “The doctor has been taking a look at a couple of them to see how they are. We’re going to have to see how they’re feeling, and then pick the team from there.”

Pulis will be returning to Stoke after a successful ten-year spell that saw him guide the Potters into the Premier League before successfully establishing them in the top-flight.

He said: “I had a fantastic ten years at Stoke. I’ve got great respect for my ex-chairman there, Peter Coates, and his family. They’re local people who've invested enormous amounts of money. They're good people, and I still always look for their results.”