West Brom top-scorer Josh Maja is facing months on the sidelines, and will therefore miss next week's trip to Middlesbrough as he requires surgery on his leg.

In a huge blow to the Baggies' top-six hopes, Maja has suffered what the club described as a lower leg injury. They said: "The 26-year-old striker will undergo surgery in the coming days before entering a period of rehabilitation. Albion hope to have Maja back in contention during the spring. Everyone at the club wishes Josh well in his recovery."

The injury means the striker will miss West Brom's trip to the Riverside on Tuesday evening, and an extended period after that. With the Baggies currently sixth and just one point behind Boro in the Championship table, it's a huge blow to them. He has 12 goals and two assists this season - almost half of the 32 goals the team has scored as a whole this term.

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Highlighting his importance, the former Sunderland and Bordeaux striker has featured in every Championship game so far this season, with West Brom having no other alternative natural centre forward options. Wide forward Karlan Grant is capable of playing through the middle, while Jed Wallace, Grady Diangana, Mikey Johnston and John Swift are touted as potential false-nines by Baggies experts.

But the most likely outcome is that they are forced in the transfer window to seek a replacement for Maja. That won't be easy, however, with West Brom not believed to be in a healthy financial position, while they still remain managerless after Carlos Corberan departed for Valencia over the festive period.

Boro are fully focused on Saturday's trip to Portsmouth for now. But Michael Carrick will have one eye on Tuesday evening's game and West Brom's visit, and the preparation for the Black Country club is far from perfect for them.