Middlesbrough striker Lukas Jutkiewicz has already been ruled out of next week’s FA Cup fifth round clash with European Champions Chelsea.
The 23-year-old suffered ankle ligament damage during the weekend defeat at Crystal Palace and was expected to remain sidelined for at least the next fortnight.
However, fellow forward Scott McDonald is at least nearing a return having spent the past month out of action with a back injury.
“We will give Lukas every opportunity to get himself fit and not rush him back,” Boro manager Tony Mowbray told the Evening Gazette. “Ankle ligaments are delicate things, I’ve had them myself.
“I’m aware that we can’t keep rushing players back ahead of schedule,” he added. “Scott might be ready soon but we’ll have to make sure he’s ready.”
The eventual winners of the tie visit Manchester United in the last eight of the competition next month.
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