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Schwarzer facing UEFA Cup woe

Middlesbrough FC goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is likely to miss the rest of the season after fracturing a cheekbone in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat.

Middlesbrough FC goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a fractured cheekbone during Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat by West Ham United FC.

UEFA Cup misery
Schwarzer was injured in a collision with Dean Ashton in the first half of the 1-0 reverse. The 33-year-old will undergo surgery on Monday and is definitely out of Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final second leg against FC Steaua Bucuresti, with Steaua leading 1-0 from last week's match in Romania. The Australian international is also unlikely to be available should Middlesbrough overturn the deficit and reach the final in Eindhoven on 10 May.

World Cup worry
Schwarzer, who was replaced by Brad Jones against West Ham, could resume training in a fortnight wearing a protective mask, although it may be up to a month before he is cleared to play. He should, however, be fit for the FIFA World Cup in Germany. "Mark is likely to miss the rest of Middlesbrough's season but should be fit for the World Cup," said Middlesbrough medical officer Grant Downie. Australia open their World Cup campaign on 12 June against Japan, before going on to face holders Brazil and Croatia in Group F.

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