MIDDLESBROUGH could lose new midfielder Paul Okon for up to seven weeks - after just one game of the Premiership season.

Okon is captain of the Socceroos in the Olympics and their squad has been asked to assemble in Sydney on August 20, just 24 hours after Boro's opening match, at Coventry.

Boro were expecting to lose the 28-year-old but not until September 8, the mandatory period of five days before the tournament begins.

But Aussie coach Raul Blanco will expect Okon, as skipper and one of the three over-age players, to be there when the rest of the squad start to assemble.

"We're hoping the clubs will be kind. We have no say over when players will be released," he said.

The first game is in the Olympic Stadium, when Australia meet Italy on September 13.

But, if the Aussies come through their qualifying group - which also includes Nigeria and Honduras - and do well, Okon might not return to Teesside until November.

Leeds face a double problem, losing strikers Harry Kewell and £6m Mark Viduka - another over-age player - to the Olympics for the same period.

Sydney-born Okon, who moved to Boro on a Bosman from Fiorentina during the summer, confirmed he will be playing in the Olympics.

Viduka, who has yet to play a full 90 minutes for Leeds since his move from Celtic, and £20m-rated Kewell also revealed they will be involved.

Meanwhile, Alen Boksic could make his Middlesbrough debut in Spain this week after being granted a work permit yesterday.

The £2.5m Croatian was given the green light in double-quick time despite not meeting the criteria.

Boro were ready to call on Redcar MP Mo Mowlan for help in smoothing the way for the 30-year-old striker.

The former Northern Ireland Minister smoothed the way for Juninho nine months ago when the Brazilian did not qualify for a permit.

But, with the request through, Boro are hoping to receive clearance papers from Lazio in time for Boksic to play in friendlies against Linense and Real Madrid on Thursday and Sunday.

Christian Karembeu and Noel Whelan are also expected to play their first game for the club.

Boro are still waiting to complete Karembeu's registration and Whelan was kept out of Robbie Mustoe's testimonial by injury.