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The hamstring injury sustained by Titus Bramble could be more serious though, especially with the youngster just beginning to show his true ability in a black’n’white shirt.
After the game Bramble described his disappointment at being forced to leave the field and revealed that he was unsure of how serious the injury is.
"Obviously I was gutted to have to go off. I was just running to cover a through ball - I got there easily enough, but then I felt my hamstring go," said the 21-year-old former Ipswich star.
"I tried to play on, but it was clear that I'd pulled my hamstring. It is a big blow as I'd just got back into the side.
"It is one of those injuries which could clear up in a couple of days or it could take a couple of weeks."
So who will take their place if they are not fit to return against Boro?
Well Nikos Dabizas will obviously fill one position and Aaron Hughes played well in the centre in the second half against the Ukrainians. But if Hughes moves in field that would leave us weak at left-back, with a choice between Robbie Elliott and glorified winger Olivier Bernard.
Which brings us to the spectre of Marcelino, who alongside Steve Caldwell was praised for his performance in the reserves against Villa.
The Spanish waste of space is capable of putting in a good performance, but is just as likely to bottle it in a big derby game.
Half of me thinks that we should be getting something for the work shy one’s £18,000 per week and the other half of me thinks we shouldn’t give him the opportunity to earn himself any kind of deal when his contract expires.
Let’s hope that Sir Bobby doesn’t have to consider including Marcelino against Boro, but its beginning to look like we might be that short.