Middlesbrough's 20-year-old defender Matthew Bates will be sidelined for months after managing just 25 minutes of football on his return from serious injury.

Bates, who tore the cruciate ligament and partially tore the medial ligament in his right knee in November last year while on loan at Ipswich, damaged the cruciate ligament in his left knee during the first half of Tuesday's game against Darlington.

Southgate said: "We all feel for Matty, who was looking forward to playing football again after a long period on the sidelines.

"He had applied himself so well to get back in contention and this latest injury is obviously difficult for him to accept.

"He will get the best possible medical support from us as far as treatment and rehabilitation are concerned and we are all right behind him at this difficult time."