Boro's young guns may be answer to problem

Injuries to Chris Riggott and Ugo Ehiogu have led the Boro chief to scour the footballing classifieds for short-term replacements.

But despite "1,000 agents offering 1,000 players" in the time since Ehiogu limped out of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Everton, McClaren has not been able to find the man he wants.

Boro do have the evergreen Colin Cooper to call upon, but at 38, prolonged Premiership showings may begin to take their toll. The only other option to partner captain Gareth Southgate is Andrew Davies, who last week was farmed out on loan to Championship side Queens Park Rangers and who the Boro chief believes would not be able to be recalled during his first month in west London.

That means that, if all other avenues have been exhausted, the spotlight may fall on the teenage duo of Matthew Bates and David Wheater.

Bates, 18, who skippered Boro's youth team to a 3-0 triumph over Wearside rivals Sunderland in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup on Thursday night, is in the squad for today's Premiership clash with Norwich City at Carrow Road. Wheater misses out after picking up a knock as the youth side continued their defence of the trophy they won last season.

Bates is likely to find himself on the bench at best today as McClaren is expected to call on Cooper as Boro look to get back to winning ways in their quest for a European spot.

But McClaren said he would have no second thoughts about naming either Bates or Wheater, both capped by England Under-18s, in his first 11.

"We are definitely very, very short in that area," he said of his central defence. "We have two very good players coming through in Bates and Wheater and, if we don't get anybody in, one of them may have to play.

"Bates is very strong, very determined, a good defender with a good temperament. He and Wheater are the backbone of that youth team and the reserves.

"They train with us every day and don't look out of place and I would have no hesitation in putting any one of those two in."

McClaren denied Ehiogu's injury, a recurrence of a long-standing knee problem, was career threatening.

"No, not at all," he said. "He is 31-32 and still has a few more years left."

However, he admitted it was a bitter blow for the player and the club.

"I am devastated for Ugo because he had fought his way back, was playing in the first team and was doing well and to suffer an injury that may keep him out for the rest of season is a big blow for him and this club" said McClaren.

One spot of good news ahead of today's trip to Norfolk was that right back Michael Reiziger will figure.

The Dutchman injured his little toe against Everton but will play through the pain barrier against the Canaries.

"He has trained the last couple of days. His toe is still badly bruised but he is a tough player and he is going to play," he said.

Ray Parlour is also welcomed back to the Boro midfield with open arms after missing last weekend's match through suspension.

"I think we missed him last weekend, you could see that," said McClaren. "His physical presence, his attitude. We can't do without those sort of players and it's great to have him back.

"Ray Parlour and George Boateng have been two very strong players in that midfield for us and they were always going to be missed against a very, very strong Everton team."

Boro will be favourites going into today's game but McClaren said he was not taking Nigel Worthington's men lightly.

Boro beat them 2-0 at the Riverside in December, but he said two factors - the match being at Carrow Road and £3.5m striker Dean Ashton making his home debut - meant it would be a far from easy task despite the Canaries languishing in the relegation zone.

"I have been in the game long enough to know there are no easy games," he said.

"Dean Ashton has scored goals in the Championship. He is a strong player, good in the air and has two good feet. He is a very good signing for Norwich."

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