Middlesbrough FC boss Kim Hellberg issues Leo Castledine, Sammy Silvera and Tommy Conway updates
Middlesbrough will be without Leo Castledine and Sammy Silvera for their clash with Oxford United.
Castledine made the move to Middlesbrough last month, sealing a permanent switch from Chelsea after his loan spell at Huddersfield Town was cut short.
He made a promising start to life at the Riverside but has missed each of the last three games through injury.
The attacking midfielder has now suffered a setback and will have to wait a bit longer for his comeback.
Leo Castledine and Sammy Silvera updates
Hellberg said: “Leo has had a little bit of a setback, sadly. I think the aim was for him to train this week but little bit setback, so maybe next week.”
Silvera, meanwhile, will spend a period on the sidelines with a stress fracture.
Middlesbrough’s head coach said: “For Sammy, it’s sadly the international break for him. A stress fracture, I think. It will take a little bit longer than we thought, but that is what it is.
“Sammy has been brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Brilliant lad, everyone loves him in the squad. He gives so much energy, he was doing some fantastic stuff on the pitch so of course we miss him.
“But that's football, that’s life, it’s just to come back stronger, work hard and then he’s back again.”
Tommy Conway latest
Tommy Conway looked to be in discomfort after going to ground with a groin problem during the recent defeat to Coventry City, although has managed to complete every training session since.
Hellberg said: “Tommy is better. He was able to train every session - every minute of every session. So I don’t see any problem with that.
“He is one of the players who has played a lot, started every game I think since I arrived and now it will come down to finding the balance for him.
“But he’s a very important player for us, does a lot of good things and scored a lot of goals lately. He’s okay. He’s training well and he’s ready to play.”