Middlesbrough will have been desperate to get through the international break without any injury concerns for their key players.
Michael Carrick‘s side currently sit 10th in the Championship table, seven points adrift of the play-off places.
As a result, they will need a strong end to the season if they are to have a chance of securing a top six spot, and a shot at promotion.
That will mean they are going to want to keep as many players as possible fit and available to give themselves the best possible chance of doing that.
However, not long into the international break, and Middlesbrough’s hopes of doing that already look to have been dealt a blow.
Riley McGree injury scare
One ‘Boro player who is currently away on international duty is Riley McGree.
The midfielder was one of three Middlesbrough players named in the Australia squad for their World Cup qualifying double header with Lebanon.
With the first of those two games taking place on Thursday morning, McGree lasted just 16 minutes of that match, before being withdrawn due to injury.
Taking to X to relay that news, Middlesbrough journalist Phil Spencer wrote:
“I hope this isn’t serious. It’s been great seeing Riley McGree almost back to his best in the last few weeks.”
Carrick’s side are next in action on Friday 29th March, when they travel to St Mary’s to face Southampton.
A big concern for Middlesbrough
This is just about the last thing any ‘Boro would have wanted to see from the international break.
With eight games of the season remaining, it will be a big ask for them to make it into the play-off places with the deficit they face.
It would however, not be an impossible task, if they could pull off an ideal run of results.
To do that though, Middlesbrough would need all their top players performing to their very best.
Given the form McGree has produced recently, he is one who could play an important part if he is fit and available.
Indeed, his recent winning goal against Birmingham City was a good example of that. However, there will now be questions about how long he might be out for if this is serious.
If that is to be the case, it could be a big loss for Middlesbrough between now and the end of the season.
As a result, this could now lead to a nervous wait for Carrick and co. to see both how serious this is, and if the rest of those players on international duty, avoid any similar scares.