Middlesbrough have enjoyed a strong start to the season under Neil Warnock, but the Riverside boss is now having to contend with quite the setback in his playing squad. 

Grant Hall has been ruled out for 12-16 weeks, with the centre-back suffering a thigh injury shortly after returning from an early season problem.

The centre-back's time with Boro has been a real struggle so far and the 29-year-old has only been able to make three appearances in the Championship this season.

Quiz: Which club did Middlesbrough sign each of these 25 players from?

 

This setback could see him sidelined until March and, although that is a frustration for Warnock, it offers a chance for others in the squad to stand up to be counted.

For others, though, most obviously Hall, it is frustrating.

We run you through the ONE winner and ONE loser...

Winner: Nathan Wood 

The 18-year-old centre-back is someone that Warnock has plenty of faith in.

Wood has been named on the bench regularly this season, whilst also making two appearances in the Championship.

With Hall out of the side, he remains high in the pecking order at the Riverside Stadium, with a real chance to getting some minutes over the winter.

Loser: Paddy McNair 

McNair is so versatile that Warnock could probably ask him to play in goal and he would.

At the moment, he's at centre-back alongside Dael Fry.

It is a position he is comfortable in, but you can't help but feel that his delivery of the ball and ability to cause havoc in the final third with his crossing ability would suit him playing elsewhere.

Whether that's in midfield, as a marauding right-back or even a third centre-back, Warnock could get more out of McNair elsewhere in an attacking sense.

For now, though, he looks set to continue at centre-back in a flat-four.