STEVE McCLAREN is confident that Middlesbrough striker Malcolm Christie will bounce back from his latest injury nightmare.

Christie will undergo surgery next week after suffering a stress fracture to the same leg that was broken just ten months ago.

The former Derby striker has spent the best part of a year working his way back to full fitness after snapping his leg during an innocuous training session last November.

His recovery was hampered by a separate foot injury that also required surgery but, after scoring three goals in five reserve games this term, Christie returned to the first team as a substitute in last week's 1-1 draw with Banik Ostrava. That outing suggested a first-team start was just around the corner, but alarm bells started to ring when the striker complained of pain in his leg.

A scan has shown a new stress fracture and, just a week after Sunderland striker Colin Healy suffered his second broken leg in a year, Christie will now go back under the surgeon's knife.

The 25-year-old's career is on the line, but McClaren is confident that he possesses the mental strength to cope with his latest injury set-back.

"It's a massive blow for Malcolm after all he's been through," said McClaren, who is currently helping Sven Goran Eriksson prepare the England team for Saturday's World Cup showdown with Wales.

"But we've seen him come through it once and I'm sure we'll see him come through it again.

"Our thoughts are with him but, in the meantime, the rest of us will just have to get on with things."

Sunderland were understood to be monitoring Christie's progress, in the hope of making a loan move before the end of the year, while recent injuries to Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have highlighted Boro's need for striking cover this season.

Christie has struggled to make an impact at the Riverside since his £3m move from Derby last January, scoring just five goals in 22 Premiership appearances.

But Boro's medical staff are confident he will make a full recovery from his current problems, enabling him to kick-start his career in the New Year.

"Malcolm's had increasing pain over the course of two to three weeks," confirmed head physio, Grant Downie. "On investigation, a stress fracture was discovered.

"It's anticipated that he will make a full recovery. We're looking at it positively and we look forward to seeing him back in action after Christmas."

* Middlesbrough goalkeeper Ross Turnbull has signed a one-month loan deal with League One side Barnsley.

The England Under-20 international made three appearances for the Tykes during a similar loan spell last season.

* Boro have received an unexpected UEFA Cup boost with the news that Lazio goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi is set to miss next month's Group E clash at the Riverside.

The Italian international has undergone an operation on his knee and is set to be out of action for at least a month.

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