MICHAEL CARRICK is delighted to see Isaiah Jones back in the fold at Middlesbrough after the wide-man came in from the cold during last night’s 5-1 thrashing of Norwich City.

Jones was banished from the squad in the wake of last month’s home win over Reading amid suggestions that Carrick was unhappy with the 23-year-old’s attitude in training.

The Boro boss always maintained the door was not shut on Jones’ Boro career, but it was starting to look as though the player had burned his bridges and might well be sold in the summer.

Instead, he was restored to the substitutes’ bench last night, and made an eye-catching return to action in the final quarter of the game as he made a series of dangerous breaks down the right-hand side.

With Riley McGree, Aaron Ramsey and Marcus Forss all nursing knocks, Jones could become an extremely important player in the final four games of the season, and Carrick is more than happy to have back in the first-team picture.

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The Boro boss said: “I always said the door wasn’t close for Isaiah, and I was 100 per cent genuine when I said it.

“It was great to see Izzy back, with a spark about him. I was really pleased to see him back on the pitch, enjoying his football and doing what he can.

“We know what he’s capable of. I’m here to support all the lads, and develop them and try to get the best out of them. I was really chuffed to see him back on the pitch and doing well.”