MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren faces a touchline ban after being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.

McClaren reacted angrily to full-back Franck Queudrue's dismissal at Tottenham on Sunday and could now be banished from the dug-out later this month.

The Boro boss confronted referee Phil Dowd on the pitch during half-time at White Hart Lane and furiously questioned his decision to send off Queudrue following a rash two-footed challenge on Noe Paramot.

Ironically, McClaren is on the payroll of the FA in his role as assistant to England boss Sven Goran Eriksson.

His status has not spared him the organisation's wrath though, and he now has until December 15 to respond to the charge.

As well as the possibility of a touchline ban, McClaren could also face a hefty fine as the FA look to clamp down on managers challenging the authority of match officials.

An FA statement said: "The charge relates to his incursion on the field of play at half-time to confront and/or remonstrate with the referee."

Middlesbrough have already paid a heavy penalty for Sunday's events. As well as slipping to their fourth Premiership defeat of the season, the Teessiders also lost the services of Queudrue for three games after his appeal was thrown out on Tuesday.

George Boateng will also be suspended for one game after he picked up his fifth booking of the season at White Hart Lane.

It wasn't all bad news for McClaren yesterday though, as full-back Stuart Parnaby announced his determination to be back in the first team by Christmas.

The 22-year-old had replaced fellow injury victim Michael Reiziger when he broke his leg in training in October.

He has been battling back to fitness since then but, after six weeks on the sidelines, is hoping to be back in contention before the end of the year.

"I had an X-ray on Monday and it showed that the break has mended," said Parnaby, who featured in Boro's first nine Premiership games this season.

"Now it's just a case of the muscle around the bone getting stronger. Hopefully I'll be back in contention in about three weeks.

"I've been doing a lot of weights in the gym and work on the bike trying to strengthen the leg again.

"I tried jogging once or twice but it was still a little painful, but hopefully I can begin running again at the start of next week."

Parnaby's return to the starting XI is far from assured. Reiziger is now back to full fitness himself, while teenager Tony McMahon has been a revelation during the last two months.

McMahon was McClaren's preferred choice at White Hart Lane, and Parnaby has accepted that he may have to be versatile if he is to force his way back into the reckoning later this month.

"I see myself as a right-back," he said.

"But there is a lot of competition for that place now.

"But it was the same when Robbie (Stockdale) and Danny Mills were here and I was trying to break into the side.

"I can play anywhere across the back or the midfield, so it's just a case of getting back to full fitness and taking it from there.

"I'm just desperate to get back playing because it has been frustrating sitting out.

"I'm not the best of spectators, but you have to go along and support the lads.

"That has made me want to get back even more because every time I've pulled on a shirt for the first team, I've enjoyed it."

* Middlesbrough's place in the UEFA Cup knockout phase will be confirmed this evening if Greek minnows Egaleo fail to beat Italian giants Lazio.

Boro are all but assured of their place in the last 32 after winning two of their three games in Group E.

But their qualification will be rubber-stamped if Egaleo fail to record their first victory against the under-pressure Italians in Athens tonight.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.