Virus shutdown hits Middlesbrough

Last updated : 24 March 2010 By BBC Sport

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is hopeful the club's training ground can re-open on Thursday after it was closed due to a virus outbreak.Rockliffe Park has been shut following an illness which kept Julio Arca and Gary O'Neil out of Tuesday's 2-0 win against Preston North End.

"Nobody's coming in on Wednesday," Strachan told BBC Tees.

"I've asked the doctor, and unless somebody else goes down with the virus, we can go back in on Thursday,".

Meanwhile striker Scott McDonald faces another setback after a hamstring injury forced him to miss the trip to Preston.

The 26-year-old recently returned to the side following a hernia problem which had affected the striker since his move from Celtic in January.

"Scott has got a hamstring problem," Strachan added.

"It's enough to keep him out for a couple of weeks I think. I'll add that to the other injuries."

The Teessiders have an injury list which currently includes Jeremie Aliadiere, Chris Riggott and Luke Williams, while Emanuel Pogatetz continues to recover from his hamstring injury.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport