Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick will welcome Riley McGree back to his squad for this weekend’s visit of Preston North End but will be without the services of another injured trio.
The Teesside outfit recorded a 2-0 win over Cardiff City before the international break to elevate them to the fringes of the play-off positions. It ended a run of three games without a victory in all competitions, which included a disappointing defeat against Derby County and a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Stoke City.
Injuries certainly haven’t helped Carrick’s cause. McGree has spent a month on the sidelines, whilst key defender Rav van den Berg and captain Jonny Howson are also on the treatment table. However, it looks like the mini-crisis is starting to ease somewhat and the manager’s missing stars are all nearing fitness.
McGree looks set to be involved this weekend, although the fixture will come too soon for long-term absentee Marcus Forss. The 25-year-old attacker has been out of action since March with a hamstring injury, although is back in training:
“Riley is back. Marcus is back training but it’s very early stages,” Carrick said, via The Northern Echo.
“He’s only had one day and is not fully, fully back. He’s in and around the group and it will take him a little bit of time to get up to speed but nevertheless it’s great to have him back on the grass with us.”
Continuing about how he plans to implement Forss’ return to action, the 43-year-old said:
“He’s been out for a good period of time, so he won’t be close to being in the match-day group just yet. That’s a bit of time away yet, I think.
“He needs a bit of training a getting up to speed, to feel confident in himself as well. That’s a little bit further on. But it’s great that he’s training with us and that he’s back with us, but I wouldn’t expect him to be back with us on a match-day at least for another couple of weeks.”
It isn’t all good news though. Both van den Berg and Howson have been big misses and despite being ruled out of this weekend’s fixture, it appears as if the duo could return in the coming weeks:
“Jonny and Rav aren’t far off but aren’t quite there. They won’t be ready this weekend but we’re hopeful that it won’t be too long after that.
“We could have really gone for it and pushed it but for the sake of a game or two we don’t think it’s worth it over the course of a season. We’ll take a balanced view on it and at the moment we’re in good shape.
“We’re desperate to get the boys in and around the group but we’ll take a balanced view.”
Meanwhile, Dael Fry, Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith remain sidelined.
Writer’s View
The return of Riley McGree is a big boost for Michael Carrick, but how much of a role he plays on Saturday remains to be seen. The midfielder suffered injury problems at the end of last season and only featured once this season before returning to the treatment table. Still, he is an important cog in Middlesbrough’s team and fans will be happy to see him back in the squad.
It’s arguably van den Berg who is the biggest miss. His performances at the heart of Boro’s defence last season earned him many admirers, which reportedly included Tottenham Hotspur. Although he has only missed two games so far, it sounds as if he will be ready to return to the squad for the short trip to rivals Sunderland in just over a week, a game which could already be viewed as a potential six-pointer in the promotion race.
Head of Writing
