SAINTS loanee Sam McQueen has ruptured the ACL in his knee.

The defender joined Middlesbrough on loan in the summer and picked up the season-ending injury in their Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.

McQueen was stretchered off in the 20th minute of the game and Middlesbrough’s manager, Tony Pulis, has revealed the extent of the injury the defender suffered.

"Sam's news is not good,” Pulis said.

"He's done his cruciate so I don't think we'll have him for a very long time.”

McQueen has made six appearances since joining on loan in the summer and Pulis revealed that the defender could return to Saints to recover from the injury.

"We're talking to Southampton now to see if he'll stay here to recover or if he'll return to his mother club,” Pulis added.

"It's a real disappointment because Sam's not had the opportunities he would have liked, but he is a great character and he has been fantastic in the dressing room."