Middlesbrough’s injury woes in defence have been compounded by the news that Emanuel Pogatetz faces surgery that will see him miss the season kick-off. Pogatetz will go under the knife for an injury suffered pre-season and there is no definitive return date as yet. Boro now look likely to go into the season without Huth, Woodgate, Riggott , Bates and now Pogatetz which could mean Southgate will be forced to start with an untested Wheater/Davies partnership in central defence. So, although Boro have been treated kindly by the fixture computer in the first few weeks, it now looks unwise to consider any of their defenders for selection until their physio room is less crowded. Time to remove Pogatetz from my Scout Picks then.