Middlesbrough FC

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• Manager:Tony Mowbray

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Boro hit by defensive crisis

08 Dec 2008 - 12:45:28

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Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is facing up to a defensive crisis ahead of Saturday's visit of Arsenal to the Riverside Stadium.

The Teessiders will be without David Wheater following his red card in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Hull City.

Robert Huth and Chris Riggott both remain serious doubts due to injury, while fellow central defender Emanuel Pogatetz only played the full 90 minutes against the Tigers after receiving pain-killing injections on a shoulder problem.

Youngster Seb Hines has been placed on standby for a start against the Gunners.

"We could have done without it but these things happen in football and we have to get on with it," Southgate told the Evening Gazette.

"At this stage I don't know if Huth or Riggott will be ready for Saturday. If they aren't, then I'll use another option."