MIDDLESBROUGH have been rocked by the news that striker Malcolm Christie is facing months out after breaking his leg.

The former Derby County man was rushed to Darlington's Memorial Hospital yesterday after suffering the injury to his right tibia during training at Rockliffe Park in an accidental collision with a teammate.

Christie now has his leg in plaster and is awaiting to hear whether or not he is to go under the surgeon's knife.

Boro's senior physio, Grant Downie, is confident the former England Under-21 international will be able to bounce back.

Downie said: "It is quite obviously a serious injury. But Malcolm is fortunate in that it is a clean fracture.

"As with all breaks it will take time to heal, but as it is not displaced he should make a complete recovery. We will decide over the next 48 hours if an operation to pin the fracture is required."

Christie has two goals to his name this season, but has been unable to command a regular first team place.

On Saturday, the 24-year-old was dropped by manager Steve McClaren, as the Boro boss opted in favour of naming Massimo Maccarone in the starting line-up for the first time this season.

But McClaren, who is likely to be without Christie until at least February, can't believe the club's fortunes on the injury front.

Christie's leg break comes just as record buy Maccarone recently returned from ankle ligament damage.

Boro have also got Ugo Ehiogu, Stuart Parnaby and David Murphy currently on the sidelines.

And the manager said: "It is an enormous blow for us to lose a key player in this way. We are clearly having little luck with injuries but we have to get on with it. Our thoughts are with Malcolm."

* A young Middlesbrough side put up a brave show, but were beaten by a late strike as they went down 2-1 to an Everton side which included Francis Jeffers last night.

The visitors' experience told in the first half with Everton value for a single goal lead given to them by Nick Chadwick. Jeffers held the ball up and played in Chadwick whose shot just inside the area brought a good save from Ross Turnbull, but as the ball was returned into the area Chadwick was on hand to tuck in.

Boro were a better side after the break but Chadwick forced a smart one-handed save from Turnbull.

Boro equalised with a cracking 25-yard strike from Gary Smith who gave the keeper no chance and Gary Liddle saw his shot deflected inches wide.

However, any reward was snatched away when Leon Osman sent a low shot beyond Turnbull with six minutes remaining.

Boro: Turnbull, McMahon, Taylor, Close, Harrison, Brunt, Smith, Liddle, Graham, Peacock (Wheater 88), Craddock (Kennedy 75). Subs (not used): Masters, Van Geele, Knight (gk).

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