Middlesbrough fans were finally offered some crumbs of hope regarding their extensive injury list as boss Michael Carrick delivered a fresh update ahead of their televised F.A Cup clash with Aston Villa.
Carrick, speaking after the 3-1 defeat to rivals Coventry, explained that midfielders Hayden Hackney and Matt Crooks are back in training, as is explosive forward Emannuel Latte Lath.
Crooks and Latte Lath have only had a short spell on the sidelines; Crooks has been unable to start the last four games after a knock in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, with Latte Lath also missing the same fixtures. Hayden Hackney has been missing for a good while longer, and has been out since the end of November. It was initially felt-as indicated by Carrick-that he would return before Christmas, but given his stature in this side, Hackney has clearly been given all the time he needs to ensure he is right to come back.
Trio strengthens Boro’s options
On the potential availability of the three mentioned, the Boro Head Coach told Gazette Live, “We’re still waiting on scans with Anf [Dijksteel]. With it being New Year’s, it’s not always easy to get things back as quickly as we’d like. We’ll have to wait and see.
“We’re hoping for Hayden to train this week and Crooksy too. We’ll wait and see on that. Manu too, training this week. Some of the boys have been out for a number of weeks though, so it’s a bit of managing that and not expecting too much too soon. But it will be great to have them back and in and around it again to feel that little bit stronger again.”
Carrick hinted that a number if his players have had to play more than he would have liked, including a full 90 minutes for returning youngster Josh Coburn. “Josh was probably ready to start today in fairness after playing an extended period on Friday night,” Said Carrick. “But playing the full game was a big ask of him and not ideal. It’s kind of needs-must at the minute though. There are a few boys playing a bit patched up at the minute, and they’ve had to over a period of time as well.”
Running on empty
The return of Hackney, Crooks and Latte Lath is a huge boost, and one that is crucial in terms of its timing. The Teesside club have muddled their way through a turbulent and testing time with injuries and suspension, but the New Years Day encounter with Coventry showed that the past couple of months has taken it’s toll.
The Coventry set-back was as clear a representation as the club has had in terms of how they have been effected by the injuries and suspensions of late. They ran out of steam and were left wanting in their energy levels in the second-half.
It is understandable, but it is not just the players that are out that Boro are missing, it is the knock on effect it is having with those that are continuing to play in their absence. Players like Isaiah Jones are clearly ready for a bit of respite having played just about every game in the last few months. The team is more or less picking itself at the moment, which means that three returning players should ease that selection somewhat.