Middlesbrough await Juninho diagnosis
Monday, August 12, 2002
Article summary
Middlesbrough FC's Juninho may be out for months after suffering a knee injury at the weekend.
Article body
'Huge blow'
Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren said the injury, picked up in the weekend friendly against Italian team Modena FC, was the last thing the 29-year-old needed: "It's a huge blow, not only for the club but for the little man himself. All we can do is wish him a speedy recovery.
Serious injury
"Juninho will see a specialist in the near future, after which we'll have a clearer idea about the extent of the problem," continued McClaren. "It's too early to say how long he will be out for, but obviously it's a serious injury."
World Cup winner
Juninho, who spent last season on loan with Brazilian club CR Flamengo, rejoined Middlesbrough this summer from Club Atlético de Madrid in a €5m deal.
Third spell
A FIFA World Cup winner with Brazil in Korea/Japan, Juninho played for Middlesbrough between 1995 and 1997, and returned to the Riverside on loan during the 1999/00 campaign.
