Republic of Ireland international Keith O'Neill has been hit by the injury jinx once again. The Middlesbrough star is suffering from a torn hamstring and could miss the next seven weeks of the season.

Keith did the damage in training and will definitely miss Middlesbrough's game against Newcastle tonight.

A distraught O'Neill said: "For this to happen now, just before a derby game and with Arsenal and Manchester United coming up early next month, has done my head in.

"I just cannot believe it because I had been feeling so fit and strong. I was starting to play well and had worked hard on my fitness.

"What's really annoying is that we had almost finished training when it happened. I was finishing off a session with a sprint when it snapped.

"I've had pulls before but never a tear. It may heal in as little as five weeks, or it could be seven. I've spent a few days just trying to get my head round what's happened.

"It hits you more mentally than physically, but I've come to terms with it now and am starting on the road back."