Knee injury grounds McDonald

Middlesbrough striker Scott McDonald will miss four to six weeks with a knee injury sustained in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Leicester City.

The injury will rule him out of Australia’s World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on February 29.

The Australian striker had scored in the clash with Leicester before injuring his knee in the second half and having to be replaced with 15 minutes to play.

“He’ll be out for four-to-six weeks and he’s desperately disappointed in there,” Boro boss Tony Mowbray said.

McDonald has sustained a medial knee ligament injury which is a blow after his recent good form had boosted his Socceroos hopes.

The 28-year-old forward, who is yet to score an international goal in 25 appearances for his country, has netted eight times in his past 15 games for Boro.

McDonald scored his ninth goal of the season on Wednesday, when he nodded in from close range in the draw with Leicester.

Australia’s match with Saudi Arabia is a dead rubber for the Socceroos who have already clinched qualification for the fourth and final round of World Cup qualifying through Asia.

Meanwhile, Soccer team-mate Luke Wilkshire has extended his stay at Dinamo Moscow until the end of the 2013-14 season.

The Australia international utility – equally at home in midfield as defence – joined , Russian Premier League club Dinamo in 2008 and has gone on to make more than 100 appearances for the club, which sits third in the league’s Championship phase.

“I’m delighted to be re-signing with Dinamo Moscow until the end of the 2014 season,” Wilkshire, 30, said on the website of management agency Inspire Sports Management.

“I’ve loved my time at the club here so far, and I’m excited to help the team challenge for the title over the next few months.”

“Being at such an ambitious club will hopefully bring exciting opportunities to compete in European competitions, with the Champions League being a major ambition of mine.”

“I’m obviously now settled in Moscow. The club’s always been great to me, I love playing in front of the Dinamo fans, and I’m glad that I know I’ll be here for a few more years.”

Wilkshire began his senior career at Middlesbrough, moving to Bristol City in 2003 for first-team experience.

He was the surprise inclusion in Australia’s 2006 World Cup squad under Guus Hiddink, leading to a career-defining move to FC Twente in the Eredivisie.

Wilkshire was a key element to the Socceroos’ 2010 World Cup campaign, starting all three Group D matches.