Argentine midfielder Julio Arca is set to be out of action for two months after damaging knee ligaments in Middlesbrough's 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Saturday.

 

Arca scored Middlesbrough's equalizer after 15 minutes against his old club but went off injured 12 minutes later.

 

Boro manager Gareth Southgate told the club's Web site on Monday that injuries to Egyptian striker Mido and Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli were not as bad as first feared but the news about Arca was not so promising.

 

"The injury to Julio looks more serious. It's the medial ligaments in his knee and it looks like it will be at least two months."

 

Another Boro striker, Frenchman Jeremie Aliadare, is also out for another month after being injured against West Ham on September 15.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)