MIDDLESBROUGH have been hit with an injury-crisis after nine players were ruled out of their trip to relegation threatened Ipswich Town tonight.

But confident manager Steve McClaren insists his makeshift side can still put another dent in the Tractor Boys' hopes of preserving their place in the Premiership.

Youngsters Brian Close, Stuart Parnaby, Mark Hudson and Stewart Downing have all been added to the squad and could play some part - with perhaps even a start for two of them. The decision to draft the quartet in came after top-scorer Alen Boksic, defender Ugo Ehiogu, Noel Whelan and midfielders Jonathan Greening and Mark Wilson were joined on the sidelines by four more.

Robbie Mustoe, so impressive all season in the middle of the pitch under McClaren, Dean Windass (knee), Phil Stamp (calf) and Gianluca Festa (groin) have all had to pull out since the 3-1 defeat to Blackburn on Saturday.

And the Boro boss admits that the loss of Mustoe could prove to be the biggest blow.

"Mustoe has ran through bricks for us and he has probably played one too many with an Achilles problem," said McClaren.

"His Achilles has finally caught up with him, we are hoping to have him back for Saturday. He has played 42 games for us this season and has been one of the mainstays in the team and one of the reasons that we have done so well."

But having so many players missing gives the Riverside chief an opportunity to test a couple of his Boro young guns out against top-flight opposition.

"It may be in the pipeline for one or two to get their debuts," said McClaren, who has already shown he is not afraid to test youth team players by handing first appearances to left-back David Murphy and midfielder Luke Wilkshire.

"It is a great opportunity for youngsters coming through to show what they can do."

The injury list currently crippling Boro is also expected to see experienced centre-back Colin Cooper start his first game since the tragic death of his two-year-old son Finlay. And McClaren admits he has been pleased with the way Cooper has tried to come to terms with the loss.

"It was good to get him involved with the reserves and to get him involved with the semi-final," said McClaren, who last had Cooper in his starting line-up in the 2-0 FA Cup victory over Manchester United on January 26.

"His attitude has been tremendous and he has shown great character - he will play at Ipswich as long as he does not join the injury list."

Should Boro defeat Ipswich at Portman Road this evening George Burley will face an impossible mission to survive.

Burley's men would be five points behind 17th placed Sunderland with just two games to play - those being against title hopefuls Man. United and Liverpool. And McClaren admits that he has been shocked by the way Ipswich have fallen away after claiming a UEFA Cup spot just last season.

"I am surprised to see them down there," he said. "It is a must win game for them and we will have to make sure we are up for it from the beginning.

"It's a pressure game for us and it should be great atmosphere.

"It may not be a matter of life or death for us, but it is for Ipswich."

And McClaren insists that he will not be trying to help out Ipswich or North-East neighbours Sunderland in their battle to survive.

He said: "We are ninth and we have got three games left to play for. We will be looking to finish in the top ten and as high up in there as possible.

"The fact Sunderland are in there does not bother me, we are trying to do everything for ourselves.

"We will play for pride, they are all professionals and they will all want to show we deserve to win.

"Whether it is a five-a-side game, a head tennis game or a Premiership clash; and that doesn't change just because we're nearing the end of the season."

Ipswich are expected to name 18-year-old midfielder Darren Ambrose in the starting line-up against Boro after an impressive debut in the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.

Matteo Sereni (thigh), Chris Makin (ankle) and Thomas Gaardsoe (foot) have all been ruled out.

Former Hartlepool midfielder Tommy Miller is doubtful after taking a knock against the Gunners as is defender Mark Venus (knee).

Read more about Middlesbrough here.