Ahead of Saturday’s clash, Preston North End manager Paul Heckigbottom has named one Middlesbrough man who is ready for the Premier League.
With the September international break finally over, Boro return to Championship action for a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday, September 14th.
Middlesbrough welcome Preston North End to the Riverside Stadium, aiming to make it two wins on the spin following their 2-0 victory over Cardiff City prior to the break.
After securing a win in Wales, Boro go into the weekend’s fixtures sat seventh in the Championship table, just outside the play-offs via goal difference.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 6 |  BlackburnBlackburn | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 8 |
| 7 |  BurnleyBurnley | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 7 |
| 8 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 9 |  Oxford UnitedOxford United | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| 10 | DerbyDerby | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
Middlesbrough have been predicted to beat Preston, with Paul Heckingbottom’s side currently flirting with the relegation zone after one win and three losses in their opening four league clashes of the campaign.
Ahead of the game, Carrick will have a number of tough selection calls to make, including if Emmanuel Latte Lath will return to the starting line-up.
Paul Heckinbottom heaps praise on Middlesbrough forward Emmanuel Latte Lath
Latte Lath received transfer interest from Ipswich Town on deadline day, leading to the Ivorian not initially travelling to Cardiff with the rest of the squad.
He did eventually make the trip to Wales but started on the bench with Delano Burgzorg and Tommy Conway instead tasked with providing the goals.
However, the duo struggled and Carrick must now decide if Latte Lath should come straight back into the team this weekend.
One man who would probably prefer the 25-year-old remain on the bench is Heckingbottom.
The Preston manager has been full of praise for Latte Lath recently and suggested he is ready to take the step up to the Premier League, as per Lancashire Live.
He said: “Yeah, he’s lively. He’s got lots of good traits inside the box. He likes to get round the back and out of the eyeline of centre-backs.
“He likes a little run to the back post, but he’s sharp, lively and energetic. When he settled, he went on a really good goal-scoring run.
“You can see why clubs are looking at him. There is an athleticism and physical quality required to play in that top league now.
“He has shown them, and that is what clubs will be looking at as well. That, at his age, there’s still more to come.”
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Will Emmanuel Latte Lath leave Middlesbrough next year
While Latte Lath did eventually agree to remain at Boro this summer, his days in the North East do appear to be numbered.
Middlesbrough are expected to make a promotion push in 2024/25, but if Carrick fails to return the club to the Premier League, several key players will likely be scouted by sides in the top flight.
Tottenham Hotspur looked at Hayden Hackney over the summer while Fulham were interested in Rav van ben Berg.
And much like that duo, if Boro have to spend another season on top of this one in the Championship, Latte Lath will probably be keen to take the next step in his career.
The Teessiders now having the structure in place to rebuild and continue signing quality players, but Carrick would no doubt much prefer promotion in 2024/25 to ensure he can maintain his best assets.