Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil is struggling to overcome a calf strain in time to face Tottenham in the opening game of the season on Saturday.

The news comes as a massive blow to Boro boss Gareth Southgate and he may be forced to turn to youngster Josh Walker as cover.

The 19-year-old has made just one Premier League appearance in his fledgling career. However he did play eight games for Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League last season. More recently, Walker also scored and looked impressive in Middlesborough's pre-season friendly with Sparta Rotterdam.

"I was delighted with Josh at Sparta. In fact he has worked very hard all the way through the summer," said Southgate.

"But I have told him that he has to work even harder if he wants to play regularly at the highest level and that is his challenge."

Meanwhile Boro also have problems at right-back. Having sold Luke Young to Aston Villa, they are desperate for a replacement and are battling hard to agree a fee for Arsenal's Justin Hoyte.

[Guardian-Series]

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