MICHAEL Carrick hasn't tinkered with his team for the sake of it during his time in charge of Middlesbrough so far.

He's freshened it up when he felt it was required and he's rotated to an extent in one or two positions, but on the whole the head coach has kept a largely settled Boro side.

That obviously results in some players having spent a prolonged spell on the sidelines not playing as much as they'd like, but it's credit to Carrick's man-management skills that he's managed to keep those players happy.

At most press conferences this season, Carrick has talked about the importance of his squad and the fact that opportunities would come for players on the fringes. It's vital, he's said, that his substitutes ensure they're ready to take their chance when presented.

And in recent weeks we've seen why. On the back of a string of injury issues to key players in a testing spell, Carrick has been forced into changes, but those who've come in have impressed enormously.

Isaiah Jones and Anfernee Dijksteel changed the game against Hull City in midweek, Alex Mowatt was excellent from the bench against Norwich while Matt Crooks scored the crucial equaliser against Bristol City.

For all of those players, Carrick and his coaching team have used their experience and man-management skills to make sure they've known they're still a crucial part of the squad, even if they haven't played much football in recent months.

“It’s ongoing and a big part of the management side," said Carrick.

"Sometimes you’ve got to look after players and support them, maybe put an arm around them, other times they need a boost by being fired up in different ways.

"That’s just a constant balance of man-managing the squad really. Each individual is different and responds in different ways, and sometimes in a different cycle or different moment as well. That’s part of our job as staff to pick the right moment and judge what to do at the right time."

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The depth of the squad has ensured Boro have been able to deal with their recent injury woes, and players such as Jones, Dijksteel and Mowatt who have come into the side will now have major roles to play in the run-in.

Carrick said: “That’s why we train at the intensity that we do and it’s great to see.

"We hold training of such importance, because it is so important that our players are able to do that [step in when needed].

"The boys who came in the other night thoroughly deserved that for all the hard work they’ve done, the patience they’ve shown and the belief they’ve kept. The way it’s going, everyone is going to have a huge part to play between now and whenever we end the season."