MIDLESBROUGH striker Massimo Maccarone will find out in the next 48 hours whether he will miss the first few weeks of the new Premiership campaign.

The Italian striker, who finished as the club's top-scorer last season with nine goals, had to be taken to be hospital after going over on his ankle during Saturday's trip to Hull City.

He returned to the KC Stadium on crutches just in time to see Boro score a late winner through Doriva.

And Boro boss Steve McClaren hopes the club record buy's injury will not prove too serious.

"It looks like ligament damage. How severe it is we won't know until Monday or Tuesday," said McClaren.

"Once the ankle settles down in 48 hours we will have a better idea.

"It's too early to say how long and we can't be doom and gloom about it just yet."

Last summer Boro lost Juninho for several months when he suffered knee ligament damage in a friendly in Italy.

And McClaren said: "You do have your heart in your mouth when these things happen in pre-season. Massimo went up unchallenged and fell awkwardly."

Boro are expected to be boosted on the fitness front this week with the return to training of Michael Ricketts (groin) and George Boateng (knee). Both players missed Saturday's match.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.