Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate has revealed that defender Dael Fry is facing up to four weeks on the sidelines with a thigh injury.

Fry was absent from his side's 1-0 defeat to Luton Town at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and it appears as though that will continue to be the case for some time yet.

Speaking about Fry's injury after that defeat, Woodgate was quoted by the Teesside Gazette as saying: "It's four weeks. We found out yesterday. He got the scan, it's a thigh injury."

Reflecting on the injuries that have dogged his side's defence all season, Woodgate added: "All season it's been one fit, one out, one fit, one out, it's been constant. It's difficult to get a settled defence."

The latest to be struck down by injury, Fry picked up the issue in his side's 2-2 draw away at Wigan Athletic in midweek.

It is now thought that the 22-year-old will miss games at home to Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Swansea, and away at Barnsley and Charlton.

Following that defeat to Luton on Saturday, 'Boro will go into that run of games 18th in the Championship table, six points clear of the relegation zone, having failed to win any of their last nine outings in all competitions.

So far this season, Fry has appeared in 27 of 'Boro's 33 league games, making him one of his side's more regulars features in the backline.

The Verdict

This is a big blow for Middlesbrough.

Fry has been a key player for Woodgate's side again this season, and his presence will surely be missed over the next few weeks.

That situation is only going to be made worse by the position they find themselves in, which sees them still under pressure in the battle against relegation from the Championship.

Indeed, with those games he is likely to miss coming against sides battling for either promotion or survival, you feel this setback couldn't have been timed much worse from a 'Boro perspective either.