MIDDLESBROUGH'S defensive problems worsened last night after skipper Gareth Southgate was ruled out for six weeks and full-back Stuart Parnaby was declared unavailable for the club's next two games.

With Abel Xavier expected to be banned for at least a year should his B-sample prove positive following last month's failed drugs test, and Tony McMahon unlikely to play again this year, boss Steve McClaren is down to the bare bones as the season enters its most congested phase.

The loss of Southgate is undoubtedly the biggest blow, with the former England international suffering a groin strain after just 25 minutes of Sunday's 2-1 defeat at West Ham.

The full extent of the 35-year-old's injury will be known on Thursday once it has settled down enough to allow a full scan, but an initial examination has been enough to convince Boro's medical staff that he is unlikely to play again before mid-December.

Ironically, McClaren had only spoken of Southgate's blossoming relationship with fellow centre-half Chris Riggott on Friday, claiming their partnership could hold the key to Boro's fortunes.

That will not be the case now, with Southgate likely to miss league games against Manchester United and Chelsea as well as Boro's UEFA Cup matches with Dnipro and AZ Alkmaar.

"Unfortunately, Gareth has pulled his groin and could be out for a while, which is a massive blow," confirmed Mark Schwarzer, who is still coming to terms with the refereeing howler that gifted West Ham a goal on Sunday.

"But Ugo (Ehiogu) is back fit now, so we need to regroup, rest the weary legs and make sure that we pick ourselves up. Wednesday is another day and we will be doing all we can to beat Everton."

Parnaby is also out of tomorrow night's Carling Cup clash at Goodison Park after pulling a groin muscle in last week's European win over Grasshoppers.

The 23-year-old has been plagued by injury since making his first-team debut more than five years ago but, while he is unlikely to be available for Saturday's league game with Manchester United, he should be back in the squad for next week's visit of Dnipro.

With Xavier and McMahon out of the equation, Parnaby's right-back spot was taken by Matthew Bates at Upton Park.

The teenager is much more comfortable at centre-half but, with McClaren having few alternatives, he is likely to continue in a more unorthodox role tomorrow.

Ehiogu will replace Southgate at the back after suffering no ill effects following his 70-minute run-out for the reserves last week.

The former Aston Villa centre-half, who has suffered a succession of groin problems of his own, has made just 15 senior appearances in the last 12 months.

Teenager David Wheater is also expected to travel to Merseyside to provide additional cover.

Boro officials spent most of yesterday waiting for UEFA to make an official statement on Xavier's failed drugs test.

But, with an examination of the full-back's B-sample taking longer than expected, Europe's governing body is now not expected to disclose its findings until tomorrow.

Should Xavier's B-sample prove positive, UEFA are expected to schedule a hearing for next week in which they will discuss the length of any ban.