STEVE McClaren took stock of Middlesbrough's lacklustre display at Wigan on Sunday and admitted his side were missing Stewart Downing, who is out until Christmas.

The 21-year-old winger suffered cartilage damage in the 3-0 victory at Birmingham City, then aggravated the knee injury in the following game against Charlton at the Riverside.

The Teessiders clearly missed Downing's sense of adventure on the left of midfield against the Premiership's new boys.

Boro started promisingly but they failed to capitalise on Aiyegbeni Yakubu's 14th minute opener and had to settle for a draw. Mark Viduka had an opportunity to increase the lead on the half-hour but blazed over from ten yards following some good work by James Morrison on the right.

Middlesbrough's only other clear-cut chance fell to new signing Emanuel Pogatetz after only eight minutes, but his header crashed back off the bar from Fabio Rochemback's free-kick.

Pogatetz, initially signed as competition for Franck Queudrue at left-back, found himself filling in for Downing.

Despite showing some neat touches against the Latics the £1.5m signing from Bayer Leverkusen was unwilling to get forward and support the front two.

McClaren attempted to change things around to snatch a victory after Henri Camara's 67th minute equaliser by swapping Pogatetz and Queudrue.

But for all the Frenchman's industry Boro couldn't conjure another clear chance.

"We're missing Stewart Downing, who is an effective player out there on the left," admitted McClaren, who saw his side drop one place to eighth.

"It is very difficult to replace that. We've got Adam Johnson who is potential and Mani Pogatetz who can fill in there.

"Franck Queudrue can change over and provide a bit of creativity going forward."

Ugo Ehiogu, meanwhile, last night called for his team-mates to be more ruthless in front of goal or face a season of heartache.

"In the first half I thought we were very much in control, without stamping our authority," said the 32-year-old defender. "We were always comfortable. But without using the killer instinct to punish teams you always give them a chance to get back in."

Ehiogu admitted he was at fault for the Wigan goal, but felt it should have been disallowed for handball.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.