Middlesbrough are evaluating a couple of players before of their match against Cardiff City on Tuesday evening.
Middlesbrough are awaiting scan findings on Lewis O’Brien’s ankle injury suffered at Watford on Saturday, with Michael Carrick still anticipating the worst.
O’Brien, a loanee from Nottingham Forest, was forced off in the first half of Boro’s triumph at Vicarage Road, and Carrick said afterwards that it didn’t seem good. While there was no definitive update on the extent of the damage done in the challenge, Carrick was remained pessimistic about O’Brien’s chances of returning anytime soon.
“We’re still waiting on scan results at the moment, although it’s not looking too promising,” Boro’s head coach remarked ahead of Tuesday’s match against Cardiff City. At this point, I can’t really say anything particular, but it won’t be long because we’re expecting results today or tomorrow.”
While O’Brien will almost surely miss the game against Cardiff at the Riverside, Boro could benefit from the return of vice-captain Darragh Lenihan. Due to illness, the Ireland international missed Saturday’s triumph over Watford, and Paddy McNair took his position in the defense.
“Darragh was ill over the weekend,” Carrick revealed. “Right now, we’re assessing where he is. We’ll have to wait and see whether he’s feeling a little better and good enough to get back involved.
“There’s nothing special [affecting the other players].” There are a few injuries and niggles, bumps and bruises, and a few players who have played a lot of football in the last few weeks, so we’ll have to look at that and see who’s fresh and ready to go.”
However, there was some good news on the injuries front this week. Anfernee Dijksteel returned to action for the under-21s on Friday, playing 45 minutes in a win against Stoke City’s second-string after being out since injured his ankle in a challenge during the training ground friendly win over Vitoria in Portugal at the start of pre-season.
“It’s great to see Anfernee getting back,” Carrick said of the right-back. He’s been out for roughly three months after being injured in a violent tackle during pre-season in Portugal. There is never a good time to be injured, and it was particularly sad.
“He’s back in it now, training with the boys and getting back up to speed.” He’ll need to catch up on some things he’s missed, but it should only take a few days or weeks to get him back on track. He’s in a better place now.
