Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca has flown home to Argentina to seek an expert opinion on his ankle injury.

The 27-year-old suffered a setback last week after forcing his way back into the Boro squad for the 2-0 Premier League defeat by his former club Sunderland on September 20.

He has travelled to South America to consult the specialist who treated his knee injury last year.

Arca suffered that injury in a pre-season friendly at Hibernian and has yet to make a senior appearance this season.