Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate has confirmed an injury blow for his side ahead of the FA Cup third-round replay against Tottenham.
The two sides are set to meet again on Tuesday night following the 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium last weekend.
And Woodgate had been hoping to have striker Britt Assombalonga back for the tie against Spurs.
The striker has been absent from the squad since the win against Charlton at the beginning of December, and had been hoping of making a return in the FA Cup tie against Spurs.
However, Woodgate confirmed that the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had come too soon for the 27-year-old, despite his best efforts.
"It’s an ankle problem," Woodgate confirmed to reporters. "It's from a tackle by Darren Pratley and he's not right from that.
"I watched him train yesterday and he looked like he was giving it a go, he was trying but he just didn't look right, when he was slowing down he was still limping with it.
"It's really frustrating for Britt and frustrating for us as well, we want him fit as soon as possible."
Boro drew 2-2 against Derby in their Championship clash at the Riverside on Saturday, falling to an equaliser in the 91st minute that left the former Spurs defender disappointed, before admitting that the match against Spurs would represent a step up in quality.
"[The draw] feels like a defeat," he added. "But the performance was superb.
"Our consistency is better. Earlier in the season we maybe didn't get the rub of the green.
"It's a step up in class when you play Tottenham Hotspur, they are a really top team and I watched them play Liverpool the other day. The atmosphere down there is special.
"Hopefully the players take it in their stride and don't play the occasion, just do what they have been doing. You never know what can happen.
"The players are definitely capable of doing it and one thing's for sure it won't be for the lack of trying. That's a fact, my players will give absolutely everything when they are out there, that’s guaranteed.
"The fans have been immense. At times when we've been drawing games or losing games the fans have been with us so full credit to them.
"The atmosphere will be fantastic down there and our fans are always loud away from home.
"When they are out there they will be fine. They are young players so they will have no fear. I’m looking forward to it and how they cope with the occasion."
