MIDDLESBROUGH'S defensive injury woes are set to be compounded as Neil Warnock expects Dael Fry and Grant Hall to be out of action for some time. 

Fry limped off injured in the final remaining minutes of yesterday's 2-0 defeat to Hull City after an intensive and battling performance at he MKM Stadium. 

Hall was injured in training and was ruled out of the matchday squad. The Boro boss doesn't expect to see either player back for Peterborough United in a fortnights time. 

Boro are now desperately short on numbers at the back with Anfernee Dijksteel out with a hamstring injury for the next three to four weeks at lleast while Lee Peltier, who was initally brought in as back up, will be suspended for the next game after picking up his fifth booking of the season. 

Warnock said: “Dael Fry is out for goodness knows how long. Grant Hall pulled up Friday, he’s out.

“I don’t know what else I can say to paint a more bleak picture. We’re a bit short.

“He got a smashed arm in his face which unfortunately nobody saw. Referee was in a poor position and the fourth official I’m sure saw it.

“He tried to get up quickly and he tried to tackle and he’s pulled his stomach or his groin. He couldn’t move after that.

“Obviously by Monday we should have an idea but knowing our luck he will be out for three months.

“He (Hall) got a whack. The ball hit him and he reacted quickly and he’s just pulled a thigh muscle or something like that. That was the last minute of the training session.

"It looks very bleak regarding injuries but I'll come up with something for the next game. We'll just have to wait and see. 

"It's not easy to see any of the injured lads being fit for Peterborough so we'll just see what that leaves us. 

"Then we've got lads going away with internationals so if Paddy (McNair) gets injured, then I think we are cream crackered. 

"You've just got to do your best with what you've got. We've just got to train hard next week and hope that htem lads come back fully fit before the Peterborough."