Middlesbrough attacker Jeremie Aliadiere picked up a knock on his face and left the pitch on a stretcher in the second half of a feisty game against Newcastle United at the Riverside stadium.

Aliadiere, who joined Boro from Arsenal earlier this summer, came out worse from a challenge against Toon’s Steven Taylor, who while leaping up for the ball had his arm around his chest obviously to protect himself. But the Frenchman took a blow on his face and was knocked down in the 74th minute.

Although Aliadiere, who had a quiet game until then, was conscious, he was not able to continue after having treatment on the field and was carried off. He was replaced by fellow new boy Tuncay Sanli.