A hernia surgery was the last thing Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' wanted as a closure for the season, but it comes in line with a jinxed campaign at Middlesbrough. "It gives him an opportunity to sort all of his clinical problems out and get himself completely fit because really we've kept throwing him in at times when we've known he is not fully ready," admitted Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate. "We haven't seen the best of him and we've perhaps got to say: 'Right, let's work towards getting him completely right and then hopefully we have a new player for next season'," he told the Evening Gazette. The Egyptian striker was received like heroes at Teesside after joining from Tottenham Hotspur in a £six-million deal. But this transfer fee has been repeatedly coupled with his name to highlight his little contribution to Boro's cause, as he netted just two league goals so far. Mido had a tough time dealing with racial abuse, injuries and finally an undeserved suspension, earning the sympathy of Middlesbrough players and manager. Racist Chants Mido started the season on a high note. "He given us presence as soon as he walked into the place and that's what I expected when I met him," Southgate said after landing the 25-year-old striker. "He's a man, and you need that in your squad." Mido lived up to expectations, scoring in his first two Premiership games with Boro, including a goal against arch-rivals Newcastle, whose fans booed him throughout the game. He was dubbed as a "terrorist" by the Magpies supporters in chants that triggered controversy and forced the FA to launch an investigation into the incident. On the other hand, Mido captured the hearts of Boro fans, who flooded the club's retail stores to buy his shirt. The club described him in a statement as the "new Juninho." Nagging Injuries
The racist chants turned out to be the least of Mido's troubles, after he suffered a pubic bone fracture in October, forcing him out of the African Cup of Nations and three months of Premiership action. "It is very disappointing for me to be missing the African Cup of Nations," he said after Egypt's 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the final. "I've played in the last three tournaments and I really wanted to be out there to help the lads and my country but I've been injured for three months." Backed by his coach and teammates, Mido tried to regain his fitness despite suffering groin pains from time to another. He worked hard with Middlesbrough's medical staff to regain top form and had short spells in reserve games and Cup matches. Mido scored against Sheffield United in the Cup and was dreaming of an appearance at Wembley before his side was ousted by Cardiff City. Harsh Dismissal But he had a personal blow when he was harshly red-carded in his side's league game against Arsenal for a high tackle on Gael Clichy. "I don't think there was any intention there from Mido," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said after the 1-1 draw with Boro. Mido, though, was handed a three-match suspension by the FA. And just as he bragged about his physical strength in a press conference, saying he "could take down tough defenders in a street fight," news of the need for a surgery surfaced. His brother, Tamer Wasfi, confirmed the reports to FilGoal.com before Southgate made the final comment. "He (Mido) would be the first to say he has had a horrendous time really," said Southgate.
