This is The North East | Sport | Football

MIDDLESBROUGH'S teenage general Lee Cattermole is facing up to the prospect of his debut season coming to an injury-stricken end with ankle ligament damage sustained at the weekend, writes Paul Fraser.

Cattermole, who was extremely doubtful for tonight's UEFA Cup quarter-final with Basle, is bracing himself for up to five weeks on the sidelines after failing to come through training yesterday.

The England youth international harbours hopes of returning before the end of the campaign should Boro go all the way in the UEFA and FA cups, but he will be struggling for full fitness to play in the finals on May 10 and 13 respectively.

It would be a disappointing end to a fantastic first campaign on the professional stage. He has grown in stature since shooting to prominence on January 2 with an outstanding debut in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle.

Since then the 18-year-old has never looked back, turning in a string of age-defying displays which included a prominent part in helping Boro overcome the might of AS Roma in the Stadio Olimpico last month.

If he doesn't play again this season it is fitting the Stockton-born midfielder went out in style when his first senior goal at Manchester City on Sunday.

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