Town striker Alun Armstrong had a minor operation after receiving a deep cut to his leg during last night's 3-0 reserve defeat to Tottenham. Armstrong was badly challenged by Spurs' keeper Rob Burch in the first half of the game at Stevenage.

Boss Joe Royle says that the former Boro and Stockport man will be on the sidelines until Christmas: "Alun had a minor operation and the Tottenham doctor estimated he will be out for three weeks.

"He wanted Alun to have the wound sanitised and the only way it can be done is surgically."

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