[goldenHuddlestone]

Gareth Southgate has defended Egyptian striker Mido, who has only played for Middlesbrough eight times since leaving Spurs for £6 million in August.

The ‘Boro manager insists that Mido’s injury has interrupted an otherwise promising season.

"People have suggested Mido has not been a good signing, yet he scored two goals in his first two games and he's been pretty much injured since,” Southgate said.

"There have been bogus stories about him going missing from the training ground, which doesn't help. It's something that has frustrated him and me.

Mido has been injured for two months, and Southgate says his recovery is on schedule.

"I know how much he wants to get back and he's on course, but he has to see if there's any reaction. He's frustrated because he wants to be out there scoring goals and he was thrilled to bits with the way he started here. Now he feels down because he can't contribute.''

However, he still admitted that he is likely to look for forwards in the January transfer window.

"We've been caught a bit short. We could maybe have taken another striker, but it wouldn't have been anyone we would have had long-term faith in.

"I have to carry the can for that, but we've been hit with injuries in that area and, after January, we have to make sure we have plenty of cover.''

[MrGreen]

I actually forgot he was their player so scarcely has he been seen.