GARY O'NEIL is to delay an operation due today until later in the month to help Boro get their Championship season off to a decent start.

"Gary was due to have a hernia op today, but he is now going to play through it for a little while," explained manager Gareth Southgate.

"He's been suffering some pain so that's why we didn't start him against Sheffield United, but he feels a little better after Friday."

O'Neil replaced French U21 skipper Didier Digard three minutes from half-time in the seasonal opener at the Riverside, with Southgate revealing: "Didier has a groin injury, possibly a small tear, we will know more on Wednesday when he has scans.

"Given the injury to Didier, Gary wants to try and help the team by remaining available, so the plan now is for him to have the op just before or after our game with Bristol City."

Of other injury concerns, Southgate allayed fears by saying: "Julio Arca is fine, he had a problem with a toe last week but he is fine now, while Rhys Williams suffered a kick against the Blades but we think he's fine."