Pogatetz has made 106 appearances for Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough captain Emanuel Pogatetz will miss the club's final three games of the season after failing to recover from an injured left knee.

The 26-year-old Austrian international hurt the joint and the tendon behind it in last month's 4-1 defeat by Bolton.

It had been hoped that he could play some part in their fight to avoid relegation but may now require surgery.

Boro are precariously positioned three points from safety ahead of Monday's match against local rivals Newcastle.

It will be followed by a home match against Aston Villa and a final-day trip to West Ham.

606: DEBATE A half-decent centre half who can't get in the team in his favoured position pickboro

And it is likely Andrew Taylior will continue at left-back after deputising for Pogatetz in three of the last four games.

Since being confined to the sidelines, Pogatetz has played down reports that he will leave the club in the summer after a dismal season.

Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2005, he has also played at left midfield and in the centre of defence.

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