More bad injury news for Middlesbrough as Jonathan Woodgate provides Britt Assombalonga and Lewis Wing updates

Assombalonga was forced off in the 64th minute after a cynical tackle from Addicks midfielder Darren Pratley, which has left the striker on crutches.

Losing his top scorer is the last thing Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate needs right now, especially with several first-team players already out.

The striker had been struggling with an ankle issue but Woodgate believes this is a new injury.

“He's on crutches so when it rains, it pours, it's thunder and lightning, it's everything,” said Woodgate when asked about the striker.

“I think that's a new injury, which is not good.”

When asked about the tackle, Woodgate added: “I didn't think it was the best challenge in the world, Darren apologised to me after the game. Darren Pratley is not that kind of player, he's not malicious in any way, okay he's caught him.

“I'm not sure how long Britt will be out for but that will be another blow to many, but it happens and it's another opportunity for someone else to come into the team.”

Boro midfielder Lewis Wing also missed the game with a knee injury which meant he couldn’t even start on the bench.

“He’s had a knee problem,” said Woodgate when asked about Wing. ”He had a scan on it on Friday. Nothing showed on the scan but he didn’t have the stability.

“He didn’t think he could trust his knee on the change of direction so we really need players who are 90 per cent to 100 and he wasn’t that.”

Boro climbed to 20th in the table after the win, which came courtesy of George Saville’s first-minute finish, and are now four points clear of the relegation zone.

“It’s really pleasing, I thought we thoroughly deserved it,” added the Boro boss.

“I thought it could have been three or four nil. I thought we dominated throughout creating chances, and in the second half I thought we looked very dangerous on transition.

“When they had a bit of play, we soaked it up. It was a very pleasing result.”