MIDDLESBROUGH'S injury nightmare took a turn for the worse last night when it emerged Ugo Ehiogu is facing yet another spell on the sidelines.

The former England centre-back made his Premiership comeback yesterday after being ruled out with knee and calf injuries since September 11.

Now Ehiogu's season could be in jeopardy after reluctantly hobbling off after just 18 minutes of Middlesbrough's 1-1 draw with Everton with further knee ligament damage.

To add insult to injury manager Steve McClaren - already without star names such as Mark Viduka, George Boateng, Chris Riggott and Gaizka Mendieta - revealed full-back Michael Reiziger has broken a toe and may miss Saturday's trip to Norwich.

The injuries sustained came in a tempestuous encounter between two sides battling for the fourth and final Champions League place this season.

But both McClaren and his opposite number, David Moyes, joined forces yesterday to play down the 20-man altercation inside Mark Schwarzer's net after the Aussie was left hurt from a stray Duncan Ferguson boot.

Referee Dermot Gallagher will not be including the incident in his report but the FA could launch an inquiry into the incident.

And McClaren said: "It showed two sides, in the top six, who showed spirit and togetherness. It was a great show of togetherness and showed players defending their mates.

"They were just backing each other up and I don't think it was malicious. There was a melee and these things happen in games."

Moyes added: "The ball was dropped by the keeper and Duncan went in for it. The only reason it was a melee was that there were so many up for the corner. Why should there be an FA inquiry?

"It happened because it was in the six yard box. That was it."

Middlesbrough have now picked up just four points from a possible 15 from their last five league matches - having come through a difficult festive fixture list.

They are still eight points behind fourth-placed Everton with 15 games remaining.

And McClaren remained optimistic about his side's chances of playing Champions League football come August.

"While we wanted to win, the draw was a fair result," said McClaren. "We each had our moments. It was important not to lose this and I can't fault the players at all.

"Everton are favourites for the fourth position because only they can falter now. But we will not give up. After defeats to Man United and Chelsea we think eight points is achievable."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.