Craig Harrison yesterday completed a £200,000 switch to Crystal Palace - and left Middlesbrough with a problem, writes NEIL ANDREWS.

The 22-year-old defender agreed personal terms at Selhurst Park to turn his loan move into a permanent deal.

But Boro are also currently without their three other first-choice left backs after Christian Ziege's departure for Liverpool.

Dean Gordon is not ready to return after knee trouble and Keith O'Neill has ankle ligament damage and is doubtful for the game at Derby next week.

Manager Bryan Robson will have to shuffle players around if O'Neill fails to make it.

Gordon is in training again and close to full fitness after injury problems stretching back 12 months and Robson said: "He's making good progress but we're not rushing anything.

"It will be a tremendous bonus for us when he returns. Before his injury I was pushing his claims for an England place and I believe he can get back into England contention again."

The 27-year-old has yet to play a game and will not be risked at Pride Park. But Alen Boksic returned to training yesterday after shaking off a groin injury.

The £2.5m Croatian will be fit for the game at Derby after missing the last two matches and not training since scoring twice in Boro's opening day victory at Coventry.