Middlesbrough defender Anfernee Dijksteel has made a return to action after a long spell on the sidelines, featuring in a game for the under 21 side against Stoke City.
The Boro under 21 team-whose Premier League Two home fixture kicked off at 7pm-was announced on the club’s twitter site, with Boro fans quickly acknowledging the sight of the Suriname international’s name.
Dijksteel, an attacking right-sided full-back (who can also play at centre-back) has been missing since an injury picked up during the pre-season tour of Portugal. His absence was compounded by the subsequent loss of Tommy Smith, who also suffered a summer injury whilst playing against Spanish side Real Betis.
Smith did return to league action briefly, only to be sent off in the debilitating loss to West Brom. The club has had to find alternative answers to the right-back spot throughout the season so far.
Problem position
Boro have struggled for clean sheets and often, the full-back positions have been a big part of the problem. Too often, tricky, pacey wingers have had the beating of Boro’s wide defensive players.
What with Tommy Smith only being available intermittently, and Dijksteel not at all, Carrick has experimented with Paddy McNair, who had a some struggles and gave away possession that led to a winning goal for the opposition in the game against Millwall.
The Boro head coach has also utilised the versatility of Dutch new boy Rav van den Berg, who in fairness has warmed to the task after an uncertain start. He has looked increasingly at home in recent weeks, but the truth is that his main position is in the centre of defence.
Anfernee Dijksteel offers pace; something Paddy McNair does not possess in abundance, and also can support the attacks more naturally than Tommy Smith. There are Boro fans who would like to see him as the first choice right-back, but to offer balance to the argument, Carrick clearly trusts Smith and van den Berg, who are a more robust option in terms of defending.
Striking the right balance
The management team’s reliance on a strong right-sided full-back to balance the side’s attacking intent down the left is probably less of a ploy this season, as they sought to find the correct left-back balance in the side. It was hoped that the arrival of Lukas Engel would ease any concerns following Ryan Giles’ decision to move to Luton.
It has not quite happened though, with Hayden Coulson, Lukas Engel, Alex Bangura, Rav van den Berg and Lewis O’Brien having all occupied the left-back spot already this season.
Either way, the return of the 26-year-old fan-favourite-who has had a number of injuries in the past-will bolster the squad’s options moving forward, and with a long campaign ahead, and no doubt more injuries and suspensions, Dijksteel’s nearing some kind of fitness is excellent news for the club and the individual.