DUNCAN Watmore’s long term knee injury he suffered whilst playing at Sunderland has always been issue that has had to manage over the course of his career and Middlesbrough are now having to conduct similar treatment on the 28-year-old in the opening games of the season.

In 2016, Watmore suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury that ruled him out for up to nine months before suffering a similar injury two months later that ruled him out for a further year.

Boro manager Chris Wilder has eluded to the problem all summer with Watmore feeling the effects of his knee injury in pre-season. But with Middlesbrough struggling for fitness and depth in the attacking, Watmore is having to play through the long standing problem whilst Chuba Akpom and Marcus Forss work their way up to match sharpness.

Since signing for the club as a free agent in November 2020, Watmore has managed to stay largely injury free in that time making 76 appearances for the club and scoring 16 goals. Whilst he has started both of Boro’s games in the Championship this season, there has been a recurrence of his long standing problem which the club are keeping a watchful eye on.

“We have to monitor and modify because of the unfortunate situation that he was in a few years ago” said Wilder when quizzed by The Northern Echo.

“This happens to players but Dunc’s attitude towards it is great. His work ethic is fabulous but now and again we have to pull him out and modify him and maybe treat him in a little bit of a different way. If look at the group now, he is a senior striker out there. You’ve got Chuba, Duncan, Forss coming into the football club.

“If you look at the three players that we have got at the top of the pitch, Duncan is by far and away the most experienced one.”

Wilder is set to make changes for tonight’s game at the Riverside Stadium in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley meaning Watmore could be offered the chance to rest before their Championship game against Sheffield United on Sunday.

Despite featuring in both games so far this season, Forss is working his way to full fitness. However, he was able to get off the mark for his new club at the weekend scoring the second goal of the game for Boro in their 3-2 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

While Wilder is having to protect key players ahead of their next run of Championship games, Forss will play in tonight’s Carabao Cup first round tie against the Tykes.

“I was delighted for him to get his first goal on Saturday. I thought it was a bright second half performance as well when we were on top. When we were on top, he was lively, sharp and bright and getting the goal won’t have done him any harm.

“It’s not that pill you can take where he becomes a 90 minute player. It’s just about the work that we put into him and the attitude towards it.

“Sooner than later, he will get up to speed. He will be involved on Wednesday night so more minutes into him which will be good.”