MIDDLESBROUGH’S plans to keep Serbian Milos Veljkovic on Teesside have intensified after learning Rhys Williams will be fortunate to play again this season.

The true extent of Williams’ latest injury heartache is likely to be determined in the next 48 hours, although Aitor Karanka has already been warned to expect to be without him for the long term.

Less than 60 seconds in to the FA Cup win at Barnsley on Saturday the 26-year-old damaged the same Achilles he ruptured 12 months ago.

It is the worst possible news for the Australian defender, who was off with the rest of the players yesterday and specialist advice is being sought. During his rehabilitation from his last Achilles problem, he did everything correctly and worked hard on strengthening his tendon with the club’s medical department, but still suffered a set-back which delayed his return.

Williams’ latest lay-off has increased the need for Boro to keep Veljkovic for a further period. His loan from Tottenham is due to expire in the middle of the month and he can play in midfield or in defence.

Veljkovic was introduced to the heart of the midfield at Oakwell, allowing Dean Whitehead to slot in at right-back as Williams’ replacement. Tamas Kalas’ arrival on loan from Chelsea has increased defensive options.

But Veljkovic offers something different to compete with Adam Clayton, suspended for Saturday’s trip to Reading, Grant Leadbitter and Whitehead for a position in the middle of midfield.

The 19-year-old waited almost two months for his first appearance for Boro after moving from Spurs on October 16. He has played more regularly since coming off the bench at Millwall on December 6, appearing against Ipswich, Blackburn and Barnsley.

Karanka took the decision yesterday to send back goalkeeper Jamal Blackman to Chelsea.

Blackman has only played once for Boro since arriving on loan, in the Capital One Cup penalties defeat to Liverpool in September. He was unable to force his way ahead of Dimi Konstantopoulos, while Tomas Mejias has tended to be included on the bench because of restrictions to the number of loans allowed in a match-day squad.

Jose Mourinho was keen to have the England Under-21s keeper back at Stamford Bridge after allowing Mark Schwarzer to head for Leicester City on a permanent basis.

“We’ll bring Jamal back from Middlesbrough,'' said Mourinho. “He was on loan there but he wasn’t playing so for them it’s not a problem.

“For us he’s a young, English goalkeeper. He can work with (Thibaut) Courtois and (Petr) Cech so for him it’s a good experience.”

Boro will now have Albert Adomah available this month after missing out on a place in Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations squad.

The winger was missing at Barnsley after being included in Avram Grant's provisional squad. But the initial pool was trimmed by by five over the weekend and his omission means he will be available for the trip to Reading.

Boro are, though, still set to be without Emilio Nsue after he was included in the Equitorial Guinea squad for the finals.