Middlesbrough have been rocked by the news that keeper Mark Schwarzer is out of action for at least six weeks.

Schwarzer returned from international duty with Australia carrying an injury problem. At first it didn’t seem too bad, however he has now been booked in for a hernia operation and will miss the entire Christmas and New Year period.

The good news for Boro is that Mark Crossley has declared himself fit for the visit of Champions Manchester United on Saturday. Boro were facing somewhat of a keeper crisis if Crossley was ruled out after being taken off against Liverpool at the weekend.

Crossley ahs been in fine form in the last month, and is fitness with be a major boost, especially with Schwarzer out. The former Forest keeper can now look forward to cementing his place in the starting line-up.