UEFA Cup: Schwarzer to miss semi-final

Middlesbrough:

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will miss the second leg of the UEFA Cup semi-finals against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday after breaking his cheekbone. The 33-year-old Australian international underwent surgery on Monday after he was hurt in a collision with West Ham striker Dean Ashton as 'Boro lost 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-finals the day before. Steaua won 1-0 in the first leg last week in Bucharest, Romania, with Schwarzer in good form. "Mark Schwarzer made two very important saves," Middlebrough manager Steve McClaren said after that game. "Mark, certainly in the second half, kept us in the tie." Compatriot Brad Jones will replace Schwarzer, with David Knight likely to be on the reserves bench. The UEFA Cup final is on May 10 in Eindhoven and Schwarzer is unlikely to be fit if 'Boro advance. However, he is expected to be fit for the June 9-July 9 World Cup. (AP)

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