Middlesbrough's Marc Bola missed the friendly win at Hibernian due to a knee injury, but the defender is expected to be fit again in the next fortnight.

Dael Fry was missing at Easter Road due to illness and Isaiah Jones' absence was nothing to be concerned about, explained Michael Carrick afterwards.

Darragh Lenihan, Marcus Forss and Hayden Hackney were all given time off after international duty so didn't feature in the friendly, while Zack Steffen also had an extended break.

Carrick said: “Dael was ill. Izzy couldn’t make the game but it’s nothing serious and he’ll be fine. It was touch and go. They’ll be both back in training on Monday."

Bola was on the bench at Preston for Carrick's first game in charge but hasn't been in the squad since.

Carrick said: "Boles has had a bit of a knock on his knee, but he’s back in the next week or two as well.

"Ideally, you want as few injuries as possible and you want everyone fit so there is strong competition for places and everyone is pushing each other. Hopefully that can carry on."

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