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READING v MIDDLESBROUGH - CROCKED MIDO'S CUP FEAR
Middlesbrough striker Mido has admitted he will almost certainly miss the African Nations Cup as he battles his way back from injury.
The 24-year-old Egypt international has been ruled out until the new year as he embarks upon an eight-week rehabilitation programme on his groin injury.
That means he is unlikely to be available for his country for the tournament, which kicks off in Ghana on January 20.
Asked if he would miss out, Mido said: "Probably, yes. I might just come back one week before the African Cup, or maybe after that, I don't know.
"When you have a bone injury, it is very difficult to put a timescale on it.
"Probably I am going to miss the African Cup, which is disappointing for me as well because I want to help my national team to do well. I have played in the last three.
"The injury came at such a frustrating time and such an important time, but that's football, you have to live with injuries.
"You have to treat it and just go on, and as you say here in England, roll up your sleeves and work on it."
Mido, a £6million summer signing from Tottenham, launched his Boro career in fine style with goals in each of his first two games to win himself an instant place in the hearts of the club's fans.
However, he has managed just five league appearances since as a combination of hamstring and groin injuries have severely limited him.
On more than one occasion, he has been close to a return from his latest problem but has been thwarted by relapses.
He said: "It is very frustrating for me because I was very close to playing games, and that's what I am here for.
"I know the situation of the team and I know me being there would help the team a lot, so it's a bit frustrating for me.
"The first three or four games, I was fit, not 100% fit, but I was playing well because I was pain-free.
"The mistake I made was that I played a couple of games maybe with a little bit of an injury, and it made it worse."
Medical staff finally traced the problem to an inflamed pubic bone and have now set out a rehabilitation programme which will take the player well into January.
He said: "We did a bone scan and it showed that the bone is inflamed and talking to our medical staff, we came up with a plan.
"It is going to be at last an eight-week plan which covers different phases of rehabilitation."
Mido's absence from the side at one point sparked rumours that he had gone AWOL, something he was quick to dismiss as he reaffirmed his commitment to the club.
He told Boro's official website: "It was one of the most stupid things I have heard because everyone around here knows how professional I am and how I am working so hard to get back because I have a goal here.
"I want to score a lot of goals for Boro and I believe that time will come. It has not come yet because of the injury, but when a player is injured, he cannot do a lot, really.
"I am waiting for the good times here and I am sure they are going to come because there is no question that I want to show everyone here what I can do for the club.
"I cannot wait to come back and I promise the Boro fans that once I am fit, they will see a player who can help the club because that's what I am here for."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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