Source: Daily_Mail
Downing and out! Lengthy lay-off threatens Boro winger's move to Liverpool
Liverpool's hopes of landing Stewart Downing could be scuppered as the Middlesbrough winger faces up to six months out injured.
The England international is set to undergo surgery on his foot on Friday and he has been warned he could be out until Christmas, putting his £10million summer move to Anfield in serious doubt.
The 24-year-old will have a second scan after the first one revealed that Downing fractured his foot when he was caught by Stiliyan Petrov in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa and he will miss Boro's final day relegation scrap at West Ham.
'We will not be able to assess the full extent of Stewart's injury until his bruising and swelling go down,' said Boro's head of medical Grant Downie.
'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.'
The 24-year-old'soperation is pencilled in for the end of the week, but he could be outuntil Christmas if the surgery and forthcoming rehabilitation provecomplicated. Even a routine break will require at least three months recovery time.
Downing is now out of England's World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Andorra next month, but more importantly for Middlesbrough managerG areth Southgate, he misses Sunday's trip to Upton Park where Boro needa minor miracle to survive the drop.
The weekend clash was expected to be his last game for his hometown club and Southgate, who persuaded Downing to turn down a move to Tottenham in January.
Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa and Spurs have been all monitoring Downing's form since the turn of the year, but any exit from the Riverside will be put on hold if he faces a lengthy lay-off.
