Middlesbrough have been hit with the news that attacking midfielder Merouane Zemmama requires surgery.

The 28-year old Morocco international will go under the knife this week for a double hernia operation, further stretching Tony Mowbray's midfield stocks.

"Merouane will have a double hernia operation," Mowbray said in the lead-up to Sunday's FA Cup fourth round meeting with Sunderland.

"We've had two midfield players sent off, we've got Nicky Bailey injured, we're pretty short in that area of the pitch.

"We'll have to have a look around and decide what the best way for us to play in the game on Sunday is going to be."

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