DUNCAN WATMORE remains a doubt for Middlesbrough’s weekend home game with Bristol City after missing this evening’s 3-1 win at Hull City with a head issue.

Watmore suffered a head injury during the goalless draw with Huddersfield Town that proved to be Leo Percovich’s final game in interim charge, and has been forced to sit the opening two games of Michael Carrick’s Riverside reign.

He continues to recover at Boro’s Rockliffe Park training ground, but is already a doubt for the weekend.

Carrick said: “He got a bang on the head in the game before I came, against Huddersfield. We’re kind of taking it, not exactly day by day, but certainly game by game at the minute.

“He was closer to this one, but to be totally honest with you, I’m not sure whether Saturday will come too soon or not. We’re hopeful, but we’ll see.”

Matt Crooks did return to the squad this evening after missing the Preston defeat, and came onto the field as an 84th-minute replacement for Riley McGree, who had been playing in a wide position on the left-hand side.

Carrick said: “It was nice to see Crooksy back tonight. He couldn’t do too much, but he did enough for us. It was  bit of an unusual position for us where he came on, but he did a job for us and it was good to see it out.”