Middlesbrough FC

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Arca setback stuns Boro

30 Sep 2008 - 13:01:54

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Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca will see a specialist in his native Argentina in an attempt to heal his troublesome foot injury.

The former Sunderland star has failed to feature in the first team so far this season after picking up the injury in a pre-season friendly at Hibernian.

He was in the first-team squad for the recent defeat against the Black Cats but recently complained of more pain.

Meanwhile, Boro boss Gareth Southgate is confident Afonso Alves will soon get back on the goal trail.

The Brazilian has found the net only once in seven appearances so far this term, but Southgate told the Evening Gazette: "We believe that Afonso will score goals for us. His record says that he will.

"We know what Afonso is capable of doing and that's why we'll continue to support him.

"He's scored a brilliant goal for us already this season and he's gone close on several occasions. He's been on target. It's only goalkeepers' saves and goal-line clearances which have prevented him from adding to that.

"His shot against West Brom which hit the bar was the sign of a goalscorer. He was very unlucky not to score from that effort."