Strachan seeking quick end to injury problems

08 February 2010 09:58
GORDON STRACHAN was encouraged by Middlesbrough's new-found resilience at Ipswich Town, but feels his team will not find top gear until their injury problems have eased.[LNB] Strachan's treatment room list grew ahead of the trip to Portman Road when his flagship January signing Scott Mc- Donald joined Julio Arca in withdrawing from the squad.[LNB] The Boro boss is not convinced either will be fit enough to return to action when Barnsley head for the Riverside Stadium tomorrow night, with McDonald's problem more frustrating than any other.[LNB] His absence was only a precautionary measure, with Strachan reluctant to pit his new £3.5m signing straight into action just weeks after undergoing hernia surgery.[LNB] And assessments will be made over the next 24 hours to determine whether or not the Australian will be fit to make his debut in a match Middlesbrough need to win to keep in touch with the play-off places.[LNB] We have a lot of players to come back and we have eight or nine first team players out,[LNB] said Strachan, who has midfielder Barry Robson back from suspension tomorrow.[LNB] Scott McDonald has not fully recovered, he trained but felt a wee bit of stiffness and I wasn't going to take any chances. Julio Arca also got injured on Friday and that was why we had to change things around.[LNB] It is indicative of Strachan's lack of options that he was forced to play full-backs Justin Hoyte and Andrew Taylor as a central and left-midfielder, respectively, at Ipswich.[LNB] The move backfired, with Ipswich heading into half-time a goal up courtesy of Daryl Murphy's opener before Strachan's second half tinkering earned a draw courtesy of David Wheater's leveller.[LNB] We had to be professional after conceding in the first few seconds, said the Middlesbrough manager, whose side have taken six points from their last 12. Stephen Mc- Manus enjoyed himself and he was an inspiration for us at the back. The left hand side was rocking early on, they were so embarrassed with the goal. We crumbled for a while. It took us until half-time to settle and go again.[LNB] It was a fair result. When you think we had a right-back playing centre-midfield and a left-back playing left-midfield, we weren't ready for that kind of game. We needed a passing game but that was ferocious.[LNB] When we conceded after 22 seconds that threw the guys out of position into shock. The football got better in the second half and we showed a lot of mental strength, especially when players were getting tired.[LNB] Strachan who could hand a trial to released Hull midfielder Bryan Hughes, 33, this week defended his decision not to start with Leroy Lita in attack, with Lee Miller making his debut alongside Chris Killen following his £500,000 move from Aberdeen.[LNB] Miller almost grabbed a late winner, with goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett relieved to turn and gather a header which had squirmed underneath him.[LNB] Now Miller, who left Aberdeen last week, is excited about the future on Teesside after being surprised by the attention his debut received at Championship level.[LNB] I have to admit I thought I'd won it. I just got a small touch on it but anything else and it was a goal, he said.[LNB] It was a great place to make my debut. There were 21,000 people here, which is more than you'd get at the likes of Pittodrie and Tynecastle.[LNB] Even though we're both similar players, I thought me and Chris Killen linked really well and we both had a few chances. There's also Scott Mc- Donald to come in when he's fit as well as Leroy Lita so there's plenty competition for places in attack.[LNB] Capello questions move ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello has questioned the merits of Adam Johnson joining Manchester City instead of staying at Middlesbrough.[LNB] Johnson, who made his City debut at Hull, left the Teessiders a week ago in a £6m, rising to £8m, deal but Capello hopes that the transfer will not have a negative effect on his career.[LNB] This year Joe Hart has improved a lot because he plays,'' he said. Before he made mistakes. Now he makes fewer because he plays regularly and has more confidence.[LNB] The same was true of Johnson at Middlesbrough. When Stewart Downing was there his chances were limited. But being in the Championship has been good for his development because he is playing all the time.[LNB] Sometimes it is better for young players to play in the Championship all the time rather than one game in the Champions League every now and then.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo