Middlesbrough FC

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• Manager:Tony Mowbray

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Boro still wait on Downing

19 May 2009 - 11:50:45

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Middlesbrough are still unsure whether Stewart Downing will be fit to face West Ham United in Sunday's season decider.

The Boro skipper was stretchered off in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa after picking up an ankle injury following a challenge from Stiliyan Petrov.

Some reports have suggested that Downing could make a swift recovery in time to face the Hammers in a game Boro have to win to survive in the Premier League, while others claim he is facing months on the sidelines with ligament damage.

However, the club's head of medical, Grant Downie, claims the extent of the injury is yet to be discovered.

"We will not be able to assess the full extent of Stewart's injury until his bruising and swelling go down," he told the club's official website.

"We are still waiting for further tests and investigations to find out the best way to manage the problem.

"Stewart has already seen a leading orthopaedic expert in London and is in the best possible hands."