Reiziger bears shoulder burden
Monday, September 6, 2004
Article summary
Michael Reiziger is unlikely to play for Middlesbrough FC again this year because of a shoulder injury.
Article body
Surgery inevitable
The 31-year-old former Dutch international first injured his shoulder in a pre-season friendly against FC Hansa Rostock and aggravated it in Boro's second Premiership match, a 5-3 loss to Arsenal FC, which made surgery inevitable.
Summer signing
It was thought initially that Reiziger's recovery time would be around six weeks, but the summer signing from FC Barcelona now faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines. "When the surgeons opened me up they were horrified and told me to forget about playing football for a while," he said. "I don't think I've got any chance of playing this side of Christmas."
European venture
Reiziger will miss the Premiership club's UEFA Cup first-round tie against FC Baník Ostrava which will take place over two legs on 16 and 30 September. Middlesbrough qualified for the competition by winning the English League Cup last season.