Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate has moved swiftly to address current squad crisis by recalling academy graduate Tyrone O’Neill from his loan at Darlington.

Middlesbrough are currently set to have nine players missing from their squad for the trip to Loftus Road to face QPR so Woodgate has moved to resolve the problem by activating the recall-clause for striker O’Neill from Darlington. 

O’Neill returns to Teesside with the side in disarray as they sit in the bottom three and have nine players unavailable for the weekend’s game. Woodgate will be without attacking players Rudy Gestede (hamstring), Ashley Fletcher (calf), and Marcus Browne (hamstring), leaving them dangerously light in that area of the pitch going forward.

Before his recall, O’Neill was in fine form for Darlington. He made 17 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals with four coming in the leaguer and three coming in the FA Cup.

Speaking to the club’s official site, Woodgate had this to say on the youngster: “He’s a young lad and it’s an opportunity for him.

“He’s done well at Darlington. He’s played a lot of football and scored a few goals so it’ll be good to have him back.”

With O’Neill returning to the club, it would seem that Woodgate is keen to thrust him straight into his squad at the weekend. Middlesbrough could do with his goal-scoring touch as they currently hold the worst offensive record in the division with just 11 goals scored after 15 games.

The Verdict

Middlesbrough cannot seem to catch a break at the moment but this was a wise move from Woodgate to ensure he has at least some attacking depth in his squad behind who he has available to start.

Boro have had a tough time in front of goal this season and O’Neill should definitely see this recall as a chance to stake a claim to stay with the club and earn a regular spot in the side.