Lita could be out for the season

Last updated : 14 March 2011 By BBC Sport

Middlesbrough could be without Leroy Lita for the remainder of the season after he tore a hamstring in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Portsmouth.The 26-year-old striker, who has scored 10 goals this season (eight of them since Christmas), is likely to be out for six to eight weeks.

"It's unfortunate for Leroy as he was doing well," Mowbray told BBC Tees.

"He's been scoring goals and was being a threat, so it's disappointing, but we'll cope without him I'm sure."

Lita's injury, coupled with the departure of Kris Boyd on loan to Nottingham Forest, leaves Boro short up front, Scott McDonald now being their only recognised fit centre-forward.

But Mowbray could look to former Netherlands Under-21 winger Marvin Emnes, who replaced Lita at Fratton Park, to provide a different option in attack.

"Marvin Emnes is a different type of player," said Mowbray. "I felt when he came on that our ball retention was better than it had been and we kept it for longer periods."

Emnes who joined Boro from Sparta Rotterdam in July 2008, has scored just four goals in 55 appearances.

But Mowbray points out: "He's a different type of footballer, half a striker, half a midfielder and technically very gifted, so the ball sticks with him.

"At times, our centre-forwards are that type of players who want to score goals and have that selfish element about them.

"Ball retention and keeping it for the team are not their greatest attribute, whereas Marvin allows us to be more composed."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport