Subway Socceroos and Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree has been dealt a blow, ruled out for the remainder of the 2023/24 season after suffering foot issue while on international duty with Australia.
The 25-year-old was forced off the field after 16 minutes in the first match against Lebanon at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
Boro boss Michael Carrick confirmed his impressive midfielder is set for a stint on the sidelines: "Riley needs an operation and is out for the season."
It comes as a massive blow for McGree and the Riverside club - currently ninth and unbeaten in six games - as they mount a late push towards the promotion playoff spots in the EFL Championship.
McGree, who has six goals and three assists in 25 matches across all competitions, missed over two months of action earlier in the season with a similar complaint and will now undergo surgery in the hope of rectifying the injury.
It is expected he will miss June's FIFA World Cup 2026™ Second Round Qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.
The former Birmingham City and Adelaide United man has 25 caps and one goal for his country.