BRITT ASSOMBALONGA remains a major injury doubt for Middlesbrough’s weekend trip to Cardiff City.

The Boro striker was withdrawn at the half-time interval of last weekend’s goalless draw with Reading and was forced to sit out Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Bristol City.

He has suffered a nick to one of his leg muscles, and while he is due to take part in some light training this afternoon, Neil Warnock remains reluctant to push him too hard given the long-term absence of fellow forward Ashley Fletcher.

Warnock said: “We’re training this afternoon, so I’m hoping he’ll do a little bit. From yesterday, I don’t think he’s got much chance. But we’ll see this afternoon.

“He was brighter in himself, and he’ll have had some treatment this morning. We’ll have a look at him, but we’ve got that many games coming up that I think it’s important that he’s right.

“He’s got a nick on his adductor, the side groin. It just didn’t feel right (against Reading), so straight away we took him off and kept him out the squad at Bristol.

“He’s had treatment since we’ve away, and he’s been swimming and everything. With so many games coming up, we can’t risk anybody, but we’ll now later today.”

With Assombalonga and Fletcher both sidelined, Boro are extremely short of attacking options, hence Warnock’s interest in the free-agent market.

The Boro boss continues to mull over a couple of options, but as things stand, he is not on the brink of making an addition.

He said: “Nothing has changed. We’re still looking around. There are one or two options, and one or two players have been mentioned and are on our radar. But at the moment, we’re not signing anybody at the minute.”