Hernia surgery sidelines Morrison
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Article summary
One of Middlesbrough FC's scorers in the win against Grazer AK, James Morrison, faces up to two months out.
Article body
Sporting next
The 18-year-old, who also scored against FK Partizan and FC Baník Ostrava earlier in the competition, will miss Middlesbrough's next European tie against Sporting Clube de Portugal and the quarter-finals should the English side progress. The first leg of a possible semi-final, on 28 April, could also come too soon.
Injured players
A club statement said: "The player has had a bilateral sportsman's hernia operation." Morrison joins fellow midfielders George Boateng and Gaizka Mendieta on the sidelines along with Mark Schwarzer, Ugo Ehiogu, Malcolm Christie and Mark Viduka.
Qualifying
He will also sit out the second qualifying round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship as England tackle Denmark, Sweden and Moldova for a place in this summer's final tournament.