Kim Hellberg provides an injury update ahead of Middlesbrough’s clash with Oxford United
14:30, 20 Feb 2026Updated 14:31, 20 Feb 2026
Leo Castledine of Middlesbrough(Image: Getty Images)
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has confirmed that Leo Castledine has suffered an injury setback that means he still won’t be available to take on Oxford United this weekend.
Elsewhere, he confirmed that Sammy Silvera has suffered a stress fracture that will keep him out until around the March international break – around the same time that Alfie Jones, George Edmundson and Alex Bangura are expected back.
A blow for both players, Castledine’s comes as after he made an impressive start to life on Teesside following his January switch from Chelsea. He impressed in his first start against Preston North End but was then forced to miss the three games since, and won’t be involved on Saturday at the Riverside either.
Silvera, meanwhile, has missed Boro’s last two games having enjoyed a bright period. He revealed in an Instagram post that he was working hard to recover from an injury that he actually suffered in the Fulham game, despite playing three games more after.
Updating on both, Hellberg said: “Leo has had a little bit of a setback sadly, I think the aim was for him to train this week but little bit setback, so maybe next week.
“For Sammy, it’s sadly the international break for him. A stress fracture, I think. It will take a little bit longer than we thought, but that is what it is.
“Sammy has been brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Brilliant lad, everyone loves him in the squad. He gives so much energy, he was doing some fantastic stuff on the pitch so of course we miss him.
“But that’s football, that’s life, it’s just to come back stronger, work hard and then he’s back again.”
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The better news on the injury front is that Tommy Conway emerged from Monday’s defeat at Coventry City with no serious problems. The striker received treatment in the first half after going down holding his groin, and looked uncomfortable at times thereafter.
But having been spotted in the club’s training pictures throughout the week, Hellberg updated: “Tommy is better. He was able to train every session – every minute of every session. So I don’t see any problem with that.
“He is one of the players who has played a lot, started every game I think since I arrived and now it will come down to finding the balance for him.
“But he’s a very important player for us, does a lot of good things and scored a lot of goals lately. He’s okay. He’s training well and he’s ready to play.”
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