MIDDLESBROUGH will recall goalkeeper Ross Turnbull from his loan spell at Championship club Cardiff City if Brad Jones' hamstring problem turns out to be as serious as feared.

Jones was sent for a scan yesterday after failing to finish Tuesday night's reserve-team victory over Everton. The Australia international slipped as he was taking a goal kick and is feared to have sustained a hamstring strain that could keep him out of action for up to a month.

"Brad felt something go at the top of his thigh," confirmed reserves boss Steve Agnew. "He'll need a scan to determine the extent of the damage."

Jones' absence would leave Middlesbrough without an established alternative to current number one, Mark Schwarzer.

Seventeen-year-old Jason Steele would be next in the pecking order but, while the teenager is regarded as one of the most promising young shot-stoppers in the country and was recently called into the England Under-19 squad, Gareth Southgate would be understandably reluctant to put him under too much pressure at such an early stage of his career.

Instead, the Boro boss would look to recall Turnbull from a loan spell at Cardiff that has turned increasingly sour.

Bishop Auckland-born Turnbull started the season in the Bluebirds' first team, but a couple of unconvincing performances saw him lose his place in the side to Michael Oakes. He was consigned to the bench for the fourth game in a row when Cardiff drew 3-3 at Sheffield United on Tuesday.

The terms of Turnbull's season-long loan allow Middlesbrough to recall him at any time, and Southgate is expected to trigger the release clause once the extent of Jones' injury is confirmed. The 22-year-old could even be on the bench when Boro travel to Manchester City in three days time.

Turnbull has made three senior starts for the Teessiders, but loan spells at Darlington, Barnsley, Bradford, Crewe and Cardiff suggest Boro's coaching staff do not regard him as Schwarzer's long-term successor.

Steele could eventually fill that role, with England goalkeeping coach Tony Parks claiming the teenager is one of the most talented young shot-stoppers he has worked with.

Parks, a former UEFA Cup winner with Tottenham, tutored Steele during this summer's Under-17 World Cup and feels Boro are fortunate to have such an accomplished goalkeeper on their books.

"Jason has some unbelievable potential to go on and become a really gifted goalkeeper," said Parks. "Keepers these days need to be footballers too, and he has a great range of passing. His distribution is excellent. In the modern game, he typifies what you need as a keeper."

If Southgate chooses to name Steele as his number two this month, the youngster will have to withdraw from the England Under-19 squad for the forthcoming European Championships qualifying tournament.

Mido has already declared himself unavailable for international duty this month, and the striker now appears extremely unlikely to be involved in Sunday's game at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Egyptian continues to struggle with a hamstring problem and has effectively ruled himself out of this weekend's league game and next week's African Nations Cup qualifier against Botswana.

"I won't be available for the game against Botswana," said Mido.