Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has a decision to make regarding his starting line-up ahead of the home game against Cardiff City on Tuesday night, following the injury to Lewis O’Brien in Saturday’s win over Watford.
The midfielder-on loan from Nottingham Forest-has been deputising at left-back for Boro in the last three matches, but suffered the ankle injury in the 32nd minute after a bad foul right in front of the dugout occupied by Michael Carrick. The Boro boss admitted to Teesside Live, that they are ‘fearing the worst’ regarding the injury.
The club has had a number of injury problems in the full-back spots, with the left-back area, a position that has been the source for much concern over the course of the season so far, with Hayden Coulson, Lukas Engel and Alex Bangura all trying to fill the void left by Luton Town’s Ryan Giles.
Problem position
Bangura was the latest of the three to try to put his case forward for the left-back spot, but suffered an injury on his debut against Blackburn Rovers. He is nearing a return according to Carrick who told Teesside Live that he expects to have him back before the international break.
The decision to play O’Brien-usually a central midfield player-at left-back was as a consequence of seeing him adapt admirably during games where substitutes meant a reshuffle within the pack. O’Brien is an experienced professional, and seeing how comfortable he was when he dropped into that spot, persuaded the Boro boss to utilise his versatility, providing some much needed stability in defence.
Another who has been tasked with moving across to the left during the match is Rav van den Berg. He was used there against Sheffield Wednesday after Lukas Engel’s torrid first half display and was also moved across against Watford following O’Brien’s departure.
Praise for teenager
Carrick has been effusive in his praise of the 19-year-old Dutch centre-back. The maturity he has shown through his performances has earned him plenty of new fans on Teesside too.
The big question, is whether Carrick will want to start with van den Berg, a right-footed centre-back, at left-back. He could well do that and bring in Tommy Smith at right-back, or he could use the opportunity to bring new arrival, Lukas Engel or local lad, Hayden Coulson back in to the first team fold.
A lot, of course, will depend on what Carrick and his team have seen on the training pitch. Bangura could be available for selection, but returning from injury having only featured in one game so far, it is surely more likely he will be introduced back into the side with a little more care.
If Carrick does not select either Engel or Coulson, you would have to say that it will serve-from the management team’s perspective-as a bit of an indictment on their ability to play that position.
Matt Clarke is a left-footed defender, but his rehabilitation is ongoing after being sidelined for a year.
Middlesbrough play a resurgent Cardiff City who currently sit in the play-off places, but Carrick will be hopeful that his troops can secure their third league win on the bounce in front of an expectant Riverside crowd.