Middlesbrough’s recent victory over Cardiff City came with some notable absentees due to injuries. Michael Carrick, the team’s coach, provided an update on the injury situation.
Lewis O’Brien, who is on loan from Nottingham Forest, sustained an ankle injury during the weekend’s win against Watford.
Carrick revealed that O’Brien is consulting a specialist to determine the best course of action for his recovery. The severity of the injury initially raised concerns, and O’Brien’s absence in the Tuesday match against Cardiff City was expected. Carrick could not provide a precise timeline for his return, stating that it would likely be several weeks or longer due to the need for specialist assessments.
In addition to O’Brien’s absence, Middlesbrough was also without Rav van den Berg and Jonny Howson for the Cardiff City game. Darragh Lenihan, who had been unwell over the weekend, could only make it to the bench, and Matt Crooks was also among the substitutes.
Carrick explained that Rav van den Berg had been dealing with a hamstring neuro problem for several games, and Jonny Howson was sidelined due to illness.
Darragh Lenihan and Matt Crooks had their own physical concerns, prompting the need to manage the squad effectively. Carrick expressed his satisfaction with Sam Greenwood’s performance, emphasizing the importance of squad management.
On a more positive note, Middlesbrough welcomed back Anfernee Dijksteel and Alex Bangura from their respective ankle and hamstring injuries. Dijksteel had already played 45 minutes for the under-21s last week, while Bangura made a surprise appearance during stoppage time in the recent match.
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