Middlesbrough striker Joseph Desire Job has been ruled out for four months with a knee injury. The Cameroon international, 26, suffered ligament damage when he twisted his knee in training this week. He underwent an operation and has been put in a knee brace for at least six weeks.
Job’s setback would also exclude him from Cameroon’s squad for next year’s African Nations Cup.
The reigning African champions will begin the defence of their title with a game against Algeria on 25 January.
« It’s bad news for us, » manager Steve McClaren told BBC Radio Cleveland Sport.
« The injury situation was already pretty bad before this.
« On a personal note it’s a huge blow for Joseph because he has been playing well lately and he also got our winner against Everton. We’ll miss him. »
Job has scored just once this season for Middlesbrough.