MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed £8m centre-back Ugo Ehiogu is facing up to two months on the sidelines.

The England defender spent Wednesday night in a Blackburn hospital after suffering a punctured lung and fractured ribs in a clash with Rovers 'keeper Brad Friedel.

The loss of Ehiogu is a further blow to Boro who slipped into the bottom half of the table following the reverse at Ewood Park - Boro's seventh straight defeat on their travels.

And assistant manager Bill Beswick revealed yesterday: "It looks like we have lost Ugo for six to eight weeks as he recovers from what is a very serious injury.

"This is the fourth serious injury of the season after those suffered by Juninho, Joseph Job and George Boateng.

"The loss of a senior player and an influential figure is going to be hard to deal with and once more it underlines the importance of building a Premier League squad of players."

Despite the serious injury, Boro are relieved that they will have Ehiogu back for the last third of the season.

The 30-year-old has formed a formidable partnership with Gareth Southgate at the heart of Boro's flat back four.

And Beswick said: "On a more positive note it does mean a rested and refreshed Ugo will be returning for us as we enter the vital final phase of the season, and he could make a very important impact then."

Boro lie 12th in the top-flight and their only chance of silverware is the FA Cup. The Teessiders' travel to Chelsea in the third round of that competition tomorrow.

McClaren would love to add some more firepower to his misfiring squad, but he has previously revealed he has no money to spend during the transfer window which opened on January 1.

But the former Manchester United No 2, linked again with £2m rated Malcolm Christie this week, is keen to try to bring some fresh blood in on loan.

He said: "We will have to sit down now and have a look at new players because if we can get our away form right we would be right up the table."

Beswick added: "The manager is always actively seeking to improve the squad and is aware of a number of potential opportunities."

McClaren, meanwhile, has defended his decision to bring back Massimo Maccarone into his firing line at the expense of top-scorer Szilard Nemeth.

Maccarone's failure to score at Blackburn was his 11th consecutive match without a goal. Nemeth had scored two goals in five starts prior to the New Year's Day game.

But McClaren pointed to the hectic Christmas period for his reason behind changing his personnel up front.

"We have had tough games against Manchester United and Aston Villa," said McClaren, whose side have won just once in seven games.

"We just felt that the players tire very, very easily. We thought we needed the energy up front."

Former Arsenal defender Gilles Grimandi has reportedly turned down the opportunity to go on trial at the Riverside.

The 32-year-old, released by the Gunners in the summer, has opted to move to America's Major Soccer League instead.

And Grimandi said: "Winning the American League would complete a unique treble.

"I've kept myself fit and I still have a lot to offer."

* Boro's 20-year-old centre-back Phil Gulliver has joined Third Division strugglers Carlisle United on a month's loan.

Gulliver, who has just returned from a month-long loan spell at Second Division Blackpool, made his Carlisle debut on Saturday in a 2-1 defeat at Hartlepool.

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