Pogatetz suffered a serious knee injury against Bolton in April

Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz underwent surgery on a fractured cheekbone on Sunday after a clash of heads against Plymouth Argyle.

The Austria international was carried off the pitch following the clash at a corner in the second half.

It is a recurrence of the injury he suffered in Boro's 2-0 Uefa Cup quarter-final defeat by Basel in 2006.

The 26-year-old is expected to be out for six weeks but could be back sooner with a protective face mask.

However, doctors are as yet unsure whether he can be fitted with one because it is a repeat of an earlier injury.

Pogatetz, who was making his first start in six months after being out with a knee injury, will be assessed by a surgeon in a week's time.

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