Middlesbrough defender Curtis Fleming is out for the rest of the season after a knee operation. The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who has missed his side's last three games, underwent an exploratory operation on Thursday.

But the cartilage injury proved more serious than had first been thought, and the repair work which has been carried out means that his season is over.

Boro boss Bryan Robson took the news on the chin as he saw his dwindling squad reduced further.

"It's a big blow for Curtis," he said. "We thought it was just going to be a routine cartilage operation, but when the surgeon went into his knee, it was just that little bit more serious.

"Curtis is out for the rest of the season. The last thing you need is a lot of injuries, especially long-term ones."

Fleming joins Marco Branca and Alun Armstrong on the longterm absentee list, although the latter is building up his fitness after returning to full training.