Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough team picked itself going into the World Cup break, simply because of how well his side have been playing.

But the head coach has made it clear those who have had to settle for a spot on the bench in the early stages of his tenure will have a major role to play in the second half of the season.

Carrick named the same side for four games in a row before the stoppage. Indeed, he's only made a single change in his five games in charge so far, replacing Rodrigo Muniz with Marcus Forss after his opening match in charge against Preston.

READ MORE: Michael Carrick's 'important' message to his Middlesbrough substitutes

The fact the team has been settled since then is no reflection on those sitting on the bench, rather the fact the starters have made it impossible for the head coach to leave them out.

Carrick understands the frustrations of a player missing out on a starting spot, but before the break had a clear message for those who've had to be patient in recent weeks: keep doing what you're doing, your chance will come.

He said: "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."

Now, during this extended period on the training pitch and in Saturday's friendly at Hibs, those players who have had to mostly spectate so far under Carrick will be desperate to impress the head coach and show what they can offer.

Here are some of those who'll be keen to catch the eye and the role they could potentially play in Carrick's system:

Paddy McNair

For the first time since Tony Pulis was in the dugout, Paddy McNair has found himself out of the side for a prolonged period. 

McNair was a key man for Jonathan Woodgate and Neil Warnock, with the latter once describing him as the best player he's ever managed. He was a regular for Chris Wilder, too. But he's not yet played a minute for Carrick.

The brilliance of the partnerships at the heart of the defence and in midfield has made it tough for McNair to force his way into the side. Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan are getting better by the week as a pairing at the back, and Jonny Howson and Hayden Hackney have been terrific in midfield.

It's not yet clear whether Carrick sees McNair as a defender or midfielder, but the Northern Ireland international has shown again and again in a Boro shirt that he can shine in both positions.

Matt Crooks

Crooks had hernia surgery the week before Carrick's arrival which ruled him out of the new head coach's first game in charge at Preston.

But he recovered quickly to feature from the bench at Hull City and he's been used as a substitute in the three games since, scoring that last gasp winner at Norwich City to sign off for the break in style.

The excellent emergence of Hackney has meant Crooks has had to bide his time, but on the back of a superb first season at the club, the former Rotherham United man can and will still be of crucial importance in the second half of the season.

He wasn't at his best in the early stages of the campaign but that's because he was playing with the hernia. This break will have done him the world of good.

Duncan Watmore

After taking a knock to the head against Huddersfield Town, Watmore has not yet been available for Carrick.

It will have been a frustrating period for the forward but Boro were understandably keen to take extra caution with Watmore given the manner of the injury rather than rush him back, especially with the break just around the corner.

He featured prominently in the club's training footage this week and will now be relishing the opportunity to show the boss what he can do in a match environment. 

Watmore, like Marcus Forss, can offer real energy to the forward line, but he's also played plenty of football as a No.10 so is an alternative to Chuba Akpom in that deeper striker role, not that Akpom is under any danger of losing his place in the side on current form!

Obviously Watmore would much prefer to be a starter than a substitute but he's an excellent option from the bench in the late stages of a game against a tiring defence. He can be as useful and important to Carrick as he was Warnock and Wilder.

Anfernee Dijksteel and Marc Bola

After slow starts to their time on Teesside, both Dijksteel and Bola went on to establish themselves as key men, but they now face a challenge to force their way back into the team.

Ryan Giles has made the left-back spot his own under Carrick, linking up well with Riley McGree on that side and constantly causing problems going forward thanks to his direct running and brilliant deliveries. Bola was on the bench for Carrick's first game at Preston but hasn't been involved in the squad since.

As for Dijksteel, he might well have been deemed the favourite to get the nod at right-back in this system but Tommy Smith has been excellent and provides the defensive security that allows Isaiah Jones to focus on going forward and worrying opposition full-backs.

Under-21 players

When Carrick was appointed he promised to give young players a chance and he's already been true to his word, handing Pharrell Willis his first team debut at Blackpool, with a new contract following just days later.

With that came a clear message from Carrick to Willis' Under-21 teammates: "You'll get a chance if you deserve it and if you take it, fantastic."

Willis's opportunity and Hackney's emergence and excellence should act as brilliant motivation for the other youngsters who are knocking on the door.

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