Seny Dieng will be out of commission for the start of the season, according to Rob Edwards, and likely for quite some time after that.
Middlesbrough’s goalkeeper has been out since December and underwent surgery one month later due to an Achilles injury. His absence was always expected to be long-term, with an injury identical to the one that sidelined Alex Bangura for a year.
Dieng provided an encouraging update at the start of the summer, posting on social media that he had been back on the grass for the first time since his surgery. However, that was only light individual training, as the Senegalese international was still not ready to join the rest of the group for full training.
When asked about Dieng’s injury, new head coach Edwards responded: “Seny has been out on the grass, but it’s been very light training at the moment. It is still very early in his rehabilitation. He will not start the season or anything like that. He’s doing well and working extremely hard. He’s a very positive person, but I believe he still has some work to do.”
At the time of Dieng’s injury, there was a lot of speculation about his future at Boro. Michael Carrick dropped the keeper in favour of Sol Brynn, only for the academy graduate to suffer an injury of his own that prompted the loan arrival of now-Everton shot-stopper Mark Travers.
Dieng still has two years on his Boro deal, but his injury means that any attempts to move him this summer will most likely be blocked. Interestingly, the change in management at Boro this summer may help Dieng re-establish himself once fit. In addition to Edwards’ good sentiments, the 30-year-old is familiar with new coach Harry Watling, having previously worked together at QPR.
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