Middlesbrough earned a replay in the third round of the FA Cup, as they drew 1-1 with Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside. 

Ashley Fletcher's goal was cancelled out by Lucas Moura's close-range header, but Mourinho's men failed to find a way through a stubborn Middlesbrough defence.

One player that hasn't been in the Boro first team for some time now is Britt Assombalonga, who continues to be sidelined through injury.

The former Nottingham Forest striker hasn't featured since their game against Charlton in December, and it doesn't seem as though he'll be ready to return anytime soon.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Spurs, Jonathan Woodgate issued an important update on Assombalonga's fitness battle and revealed that he wouldn't be ready in time for the game on Tuesday.

"Britt is still not right. He was going to travel but he won’t this week. He tried to train yesterday, I was watching him myself, he was giving it everything he could but he still wasn’t right."

The Boro boss went on to state that they won't be rushed into bringing the striker back into action, as they look to challenge for a top-six spot in the Championship.

"When he was slowing down he was still limping. It's really frustrating for Britt and for us as well, but we have to get him right."

Assombalonga has six goals to his name this season, and has a long way to go to reach last year's goal tally of 16. 

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The Verdict: 

This is a frustrating injury update for Middlesbrough.

Assombalonga hasn't been at his best this season, but he would be a good option to have to challenge the likes of Ashley Fletcher for his starting spot in Woodgate's squad.

The sooner he returns the better. Competition for places is never a bad thing, and if Assombalonga can get back to his best, then Middlesbrough might fancy their chances of sneaking into the play-off places.