Aitor Karanka has confirmed that Dani Ayala will be sidelined for three to four weeks.
The Boro boss also revealed that Tomas Kalas won't be involved in Sunday's FA Cup tie at Arsenal due to the terms of his loan deal.
The club signed the Czech defender on loan for the remainder of the season last month but a red tape wrangle means he can't play in this weekend's fifth round tie at the Emirates.
“I don't know if it's the loan or paperwork but he can't play on Sunday,” explained Karanka, before adding: “I don't know exactly the dates but he is going to be with us until the end of the season.”
Ayala suffered a muscle strain at Blackpool on Tuesday night and had to limp off during the second half of Boro's 2-1 win.
Karanka said: “Dani, I think, is going to be out for three or four weeks.”
There was better news as far as George Friend was concerned.
The left-back missed Tuesday's game at Blackpool as a result of a virus but he was back at the training ground today and Karanka is hopeful he will be fit by the weekend.
He said: “George is good, he's been training today. He had a virus and I hope he can be with us on Sunday.”
Karanka now has to decide whether to stick with Ben Gibson and Jonathan Woodgate, who finished Tuesday's game at Bloomfield Road, or recall Kenneth Omeruo at the expense of one of them.
The Boro boss will, at least, have Ryan Fredericks available to play at right-back against Arsenal.
The loan signing from Tottenham missed the win at Blackpool after taking a kick on the ankle in the previous game against Charlton.
No comments:
Post a Comment