Pogatetz on tenterhooks

Boro's new signing was handed a 24 week ban by the Russian FA after a tackle on Yaroslav Kharitonskiy, in a agme for Spartak Moscow, against Shinnik Yaroslavl's. The tackle left Kharitonskiy with a double leg fracture.

The Austrian flew back to Russia on Tuesday and made a personal apology to Kharitonskiy, before discussing his case with Russian officials. He has now been made to wait until next Friday for their decision on the ban.

Hopefully it will be greatly reduced or replaced with a fine, otherwise the £1.8m signing from Bayer Leverkusen will have to wait until January before he can make his debut for Boro.