News fresh out of the Senegal camp has indicated that Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng could be returning home early from the African Cup of Nations.
The tournament is not due to start until the January 13th, but Senegal based Twitter site 13football.com has reported that Seny Dieng and Boulaye Dia are ‘close to forfeiting’, with Bamba Dieng and Alfred Gomis set to replace them.
Dieng was already sidelined with a thigh injury before setting off for international duty, but the early assessment delivered by Michael Carrick seemed to indicate that he would only be out a matter of days.
It is unclear at this point whether his original injury has been misdiagnosed, or whether he has suffered a fresh injury whilst on duty with Senegal.
Boro were prepared to be without Dieng
Michael Carrick will have prepared for up to six games without the former QPR keeper, especially given that Senegal are the holders and are expected to do well at the tournament. Dieng returning early allows Middlesbrough’s team to administer the relevant treatment and rehabilitation program in order to get him fit again.
Obviously Boro could do without losing him for longer than anticipated, but his absence in the last few games has given Tom Glover the opportunity to step in and play competitive games after only arriving in the summer himself. He has performed very well, continuing his impressive form from the cup games he has featured in. Ironically, it was originally feared that Glover would be on international duty himself with Australia, who are competing in the Asian Cup. Carrick even considered recalling keepers who are currently out on loan. But Glover not being named in the national side has allowed the Aussie to concentrate solely on his club form.
Glover providing genuine competition
Dieng is undoubtedly Boro’s number one, and his sweeper style of play and calm distribution are attributes that Carrick looks for in that position. However, it is not a stretch to say that Tom Glover has posed a question or two in the way he has acquitted himself. He was Boro’s player of the match in their brave efforts to thwart Aston Villa in the F.A Cup clash on Saturday and will provide genuine competition for Dieng when he returns.
It is a good scenario for Carrick, who will no doubt hope that it keeps his first choice keeper on his toes and performing to a high standard with a young stopper like Glover snapping at his heels.
The question is, when will Boro have Dieng back playing? You would have to assume that he has suffered some sort of further set-back at the AFCON, otherwise, why allow him to join up with Senegal if the current injury meant he had no chance of playing?
The club will no doubt be able to share more news upon his arrival back on Teesside.