Middlesbrough warmed up for their Championship return with two tune-up games against Newcastle United and Sunderland, outings that were organised to ensure the players maintained match sharpness during the stoppage.

Head coach Michael Carrick said the games were "important" as his players prepare for the resumption of Championship action when Luton Town visit the Riverside on Saturday afternoon.

A mixture of first team players and academy youngsters are understood to have been involved. For the senior players, it was an opportunity to stay match fit while for the youngsters it was a chance to gain a better understanding of the head coach's playing style and demands.

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"It's important (to play those games)," said Carrick.

"Some players have played more minutes than others in recent weeks. There are games coming up and we need everybody ready.

"Everyone is in a good place right now. They've played enough minutes for their confidence and fitness and rhythm, they're in a good place. I was delighted with how the players went about it. The games went really well. We're sitting here in a good place."

Boro beat Hibs at Easter Road a fortnight ago before the behind closed doors games against Newcastle and Sunderland. 

Carrick said: "It wasn't about the scores. I'm not giving that away, someone else will have to give you that. It was about the performance.

"A lot of the younger boys played. They've trained with us quite a lot in recent weeks. They stepped in and played the positions and did what we asked ever so well.

"Again that's credit to the Under-21s and 18s staff and all working together so when the boys come in with us it makes it easier for them to step in. I've been really pleased with all the young lads. It's been a good time for us to get through a lot of work."

Carrick's fine start to life in the dugout resulted in a nomination for November's Manager of the Month award this week, with the Boro head coach ultimately missing out to Coventry boss Mark Robins. Viktor Gyokeres made it a Sky Blues double by beating Chuba Akpom and Sunderland's Amad Diallo to the player award.

Carrick said his nomination is credit to the fine work of his staff and players.

He said: “It’s not about me. It’s about the staff and the players and everyone together. I’m sitting here as the one talking to you, but I don’t get those nominations if not for good results and to get those it’s a collective with the support from the staff and the performances from the players.

"It’s nice because it shows we’ve had a good time, but at the same time, it’s just the start. We’ll judge at the end of the season how well we’ve done. The aim right now is to just keep improving as the games go on and the weeks go by and we’ll see where that takes us.”

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