BORO will closely monitor Paddy McNair in the coming days after the defender was stretchered off in the second half against West Brom.

McNair suffered a nasty face injury after a clash with West Brom striker Daryl Dike at The Hawthorns.

McNair was up and about in the dressing room after the game, though it was too early for Carrick to know whether the Northern Ireland international had suffered concussion.

Carrick told BBC Tees: "His face was in a bit of a state when he came off, it was a real nasty one, but hopefully he's alright. I've seen him briefly and he seemed to be. How bad it is we'll just have to wait and see."

Boro's five-match winning run was ended at The Hawthorns, with Dike scoring a quickfire first half double for the hosts.

Home boss Carlos Corberan said of the matchwinner: "I value a lot his defensive commitment today, as much as his goals - because goals are key to win football matches - that he scored.

"We know as strikers, playmakers and wingers have responsibilities to score goals, because many times they are going to finish the chances we create - and the team have a responsibility to create chances.

"For the striker it's important to increase his confidence by scoring goals. But for me, I reward the football that he was doing at the same level that I reward his goals."