Dave McAllister has missed three months but new injury means he could be out until March

Teddy Sheringham says losing Dave McAllister to injury for another four months has been like receiving ‘a dagger’.

The former Shrewsbury Town midfielder hasn’t featured for the club since starting the match away to Ipswich Town in the first week of the season.

And now, having spent three months recovering from a knee ligament injury, he has had another setback and could now be out until March.

“It’s a terrible time for Dave. He’s been through the mill with his knee ligaments,” Sheringham said.

“He’s torn a little bit more which he’s had to have repaired properly. It’s sewn back together, which is a long old process. He’s going to be out for about four months.

“For the football club it’s a bitter blow as we love to have him around. His character is immense and you need characters in this type of situation we’re in.”

Sheringham added: “I’ve not really put pressure on him to be fit. I’ve asked the physio ‘what’s the chances of Macca this week’, and getting ‘we’re getting closer, we’re getting closer’.

“And then to hear after three months he’s out for another four it’s just like a dagger.

“He’s someone who would have been really welcomed to come back into our side because of the player he is.

“You need players like that in the team and around the squad. That’s a massive blow for us.”

Meanwhile Boro have extended the loan of Armand Gnanduillet by another month.

The striker’s four-week deal from Chesterfield came to an end after the weekend’s game against Oxford United, but he will now remain with the club until December.

Gnanduillet has scored once for the club so far, against Wycombe.

Sheringham said: “He’s come in and done better for us. I’m always looking for something to make us better.

“He’s made a difference to us without a doubt. I think he’s still disappointed with his own performances, disappointed that he hasn’t scored more goals than what he has.

“That’s one good thing – that he’s disappointed and he wants to do better.”