Boro Face Injury Crisis Ahead of Swansea Opener

Middlesbrough are set to miss six key players, including Darragh Lenihan, as they prepare for their season opener against Swansea City.

Middlesbrough are grappling with a significant injury crisis as they prepare for their season opener against Swansea City. Boro could be without six key players, the latest being Darragh Lenihan, who joins a growing list of absentees that includes Riley McGree, Seny Dieng, George Edmundson, Alex Bangura, and Finn Azaz.

Supporters had hoped for a reprieve from the injury problems that have plagued the team in recent years. However, optimism has been dampened as several players have succumbed to fitness issues during pre-season. Lenihan's situation is particularly concerning; the Irish centre-back had been enjoying a positive summer but experienced muscle pain during training on Tuesday.

“It’s going to be a similar sort of timeframe as Alex [Bangura]’s was - three weeks or so - which is a frustrating one for us, and for Darragh as well because he was doing so well,” Edwards stated.

“His loading was good, he felt good going into that day’s training session. He literally just passed the ball and in that mechanism just felt some pain. Luckily, it’s not too bad, it’s not a tendon or anything like that. But it is muscular, which is frustrating.”

Lenihan has not participated in a competitive match since September 2023, hindered by a series of injuries, including issues with his ankle and Achilles.

The situation is compounded by the exclusion of other key players. Long-term injury victim Dieng is already confirmed to be unavailable, while Bangura's hamstring issue will prevent him from taking part in the match.

The timelines for the returns of Edmundson, Azaz, and McGree remain uncertain. Edwards noted that “next week might be pushing it at the moment,” adding, “They’re all working hard on trying to be available. I’d love it if they were, but at this moment, I can’t promise it. It might come too soon and might end up being the second league game for those three.”

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Boro open their campaign to Swansea City at home on August 9th.