McMahon has been omitted from the squad with a stress fracture of the foot

Middlesbrough defender Tony McMahon faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a stress fracture of his right foot.

McMahon, 23, was omitted from Saturday's line-up to face Peterborough although boss Gordon Strachan said McMahon was reluctant to stand down.

"He was telling me his foot was all right," he told BBC Tees.

"Then we found out there was a stress fracture. To do what he's done was fantastic - people have big hearts."

Strachan will be without McMahon for Tuesday's trip to Bloomfield Road to face Ian Holloway's Blackpool.

Boro were beaten 3-0 by the Seasiders in early December.

"They and Nottingham Forest are the best teams we've played so far this season," Strachan said.

"When we played before it was a real non-event until they scored, and it was a ridiculous goal to concede and hopefully we've got these wee things sorted out now.

"But they were a good side on the night."

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