Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren’s goalkeeper selection dilemma for this weekends trip to Liverpool has been solved after Mark Schwarzer was ruled out with injury.

McClaren was faced with a selection headache earlier in the week as usual first choice keeper Schwarzer returned to Teeside after representing his native Australia in a series of games.

Putting Schwarzer straight back in would have meant dropping Mark Crossley who has been in magnificent form of late. The former Nottingham Forest player has kept four straight clean sheets while Schwarzer has been away.

It is not yet know the extent of Schwarzer injury or how long he is likely to be out, but Crossley will get the opportunity to keep his 5th successive clean sheet at Anfield.

Meanwhile there was a boost for Steve McClaren today when Frank Queudrue announced he was fit for the weekend.