Middlesbrough’s injury worries have continued to pile up ahead of the weekend’s game against QPR, with Aynsley Pears set for a scan on an injured finger, the club have confirmed.

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate will be without his first and second choice goalkeepers for the weekend’s trip to Loftus Road to face QPR. Having already suffered a blow in losing Darren Randolph to injury for the past few games, Boro’s problems have worsened with stand-in ‘keeper Pears suffering an injured finger which he is to have a scan on.

Pears has made three appearances for Woodgate’s side this season, all coming in the past three games in place of the sidelined Darren Randolph. In that time, the youngster has largely impressed, only conceding two goals, with two clean sheets as well. 

Boro’s defence has tightened up of late, with Woodgate finding comfort in a three-at-the-back formation, giving the team more balance defensively. In their past four games, Boro have only conceded three goals and have faced some very potent sides in West Brom, Huddersfield, Fulham, and most recently Derby.

The injury to Pears means that Tomas Mejias is in-line to make his first appearance for the club since returning for a second stint on Teesside.

The Verdict

Woodgate’s luck seems to be going from bad to worse at the moment. Just when he will have though the side was turning a corner with a string of solid defensive performances, they are hit with a selection crisis.

Woodgate will have to grin and bear it at the moment with nothing going his way, the QPR fixture presents a dilemma as they will be looking to get their play-off push back on track after the disappointment against Leeds on Saturday.