Middlesbrough look as though they face a nervous wait for news on the fitness of midfielder Riley McGree.
The Australian was one of those ‘Boro players called up by their national teams for the ongoing international break.
However, that stint with his country has not started well for the 25-year-old.
On Thursday morning, McGree was named in the starting lineup for Australia 2026 World Cup qualifier with Lebanon.
In the end though, the Middlesbrough man lasted just 16 minutes before being forced off due to injury.
Now, some more details have emerged about the situation that led to the early exit of the midfielder.
There have been injury issues that McGree has had to deal with already this season, that have kept him out of numerous games.
Now it seems as though that particular issue, may have reared its head again for the Middlesbrough man.
Providing an update on X about McGree from the stadium where the game was being played, journalist and ‘Boro fan Ry said:
“It looks like he has got his foot stuck in the turf. It is the same foot that he was suffering with for the ‘Boro. He looked back, he blamed the turf, there was no tackle, no real intent or anything like that.
“He was tired coming back, obviously he had long flights and stuff like that, but he was up for it. Unfortunately though the turf and his foot has come into play again ‘Boro fans. But look, he’s still got another week, it might be nothing, he’s come off as a precaution as well, so he’s only played 14 minutes of football and hopefully it’s nothing too serious.”
As things stand, Michael Carrick‘s side are currently 10th in the Championship table, seven points adrift of the play-offs.
This new on McGree will surely be a big concern for those of a ‘Boro persuasion.
The midfielder was once again starting to find what looked like being his best form for the club in recent weeks.
Indeed, his importance to Middlesbrough was perhaps best highlighted recently, with his stunning winner in the victory over Birmingham City.
Carrick’s side are now facing something of a deficit to the play-off places with just a few games to go. As a result, they are going to have be almost perfect if they are to have a chance of securing a top six spot this season.
That of course, means they are going to need contributions from every member of their squad over the coming weeks.
However, if McGree is now facing a spell on the sidelines – and that may be the case if this is a repeat of his previous injury – he is obviously not going to be able to do that.
With tha in mind, those at Middlesbrough will be hoping that this was indeed nothing more than a precaution.
There will therefore, likely be a nervous wait at The Riverside Stadium, for further updates on his situation.
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