Middlesbrough must learn to play without Joseph-Desire Job if they are to recover from a brief slump in form, according to team-mate Geremi.

Boro had a strong start to the season but have slipped up recently.

Saturday's 2-2 draw with bottom-of-the-table West Ham United followed a 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich.

Job was injured during the recent West Brom defeat and the club have struggled in his absence.

On Tuesday, Geremi told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette: "We know that Joseph will be missing for almost three weeks and we have to try to use one of the other players while he's missing.

That was the worst moment I've experienced in football Middlesbrough's Geremi

"With him we play very well and I think the manager is aware of that but we also have to try to play without him."

Boro now face a trio of games against the Premiership's top three sides, starting with Chelsea at the weekend.

But they look set to be without Job, who suffered a cracked skull when he clashed with West Brom's Darren Moore.

Geremi described the incident as "the worst moment I've experienced in football".

But he added: "The most important thing is that Joseph is all right. He's trying to recover quickly and we need him as soon as possible."