Boro blow as knee operation rules midfielder O'Neil out for up to six months

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been a key figure for Middlesbrough this season since his £5 million move from Portsmouth in the summer.

Blow: O'Neil could be out for up to six months

But scans on the knee injury he picked up at Spurs on Saturday showed damage inside the knee and underwent surgery to repair his lateral knee ligament on Wednesday.

That could rule O'Neil out until the opening months of next season's campaign and force Southgate to change his transfer plans in the summer.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson meanwhile has launched an impassioned plea to the club's missing supporters to return to the Riverside Stadium next season.

Attendances have hovered around the 26,000 mark this season, 9,000 short of capacity, and Gibson has addressed fans on a DVD sent out to existing season holders.

"The fans are everything and without them, there's no point in us being here," he said. "We need their vocal and financial support for all games, not just the big fixtures, and we want full houses.

"Look at the last 10 years. We understand we've had some inevitable lows but look at the tremendous highs we've had. Be proud of the club, get behind the club, get behind this manager - and we will do everything we can to produce a team that the town and the fans can be proud of.

"The groundwork is in place for the team and the club to really go forward next season. We want to bring the best that we can to this club. We have a search for global talent. We want to be in a position to be able to attract the best world talent.

"We've done that with Alves, Tuncay and others and just look what we've done in the past with the likes of Juninho, Ravanelli and Merson."

Gibson has slashed season ticket prices for Under-18s to just £95 for any part of the Riverside Stadium.