He's stuck with a settled side for the last four games, but Michael Carrick says those who haven't been starting for Middlesbrough will be just as important as those who have when Championship play resumes.

Carrick named the same starting XI for the four games that followed the defeat at Preston in his first match in charge, with Boro unbeaten against Hull City, Bristol City, Blackpool and Norwich City.

But the head coach says those who didn't get the nod and had to settle for a spot on the bench in that run of games haven't done anything wrong. Indeed, Carrick has been impressed by the attitude and reaction of his substitutes on the Rockliffe training pitches.

And he has told those players that they'll have a key role to play going forward, saying the second half of the Championship season will require a full squad effort from Boro.

Senior players such as Paddy McNair and Anfernee Dijksteel have had to settle for a place on the bench under Carrick so far, but it's not because they've failed to impress the head coach, rather those who have been in the team have done well and made it impossible for the boss to take them out.

Now, during the World Cup stoppage, Carrick will get the opportunity to take a closer look at his entire squad, and he has urged those who have had to be patient so far to keep working hard, telling them their chance will come.

"They can carry on doing what they're doing," said Carrick, when asked what his message to the non-starters in recent weeks would be.

"The training has been really good and the attitude has been fantastic. I understand the position they find themselves in over the past couple of weeks, I've been there as a player myself.

"They're just as important, if not more important, than the boys who start at times, I really believe that for the energy they can give to the team. As the season goes on we need every player to play a part.

"It's not a case of a starting team and others, we're all in it together. I tried to get as many as I could off the bench at Blackpool and to be part of it because there are very good players there that are pushing to be involved a little bit more.

"For anyone, whether it's the younger lads or the older lads who are established first team players, it's important to have that edge and never be in that comfort zone. I'll try and be fair and give the boys a chance when it's warranted.

"The team is playing well individually and collectively, we're in a good place."