MICHAEL Carrick was delighted to give Darnell Fisher the moment he deserved after the defender returned to action for Middlesbrough for the first time in more than two years.

The right-back has endured a nightmare spell on the sidelines after injuring his knee in a freak accident at home at the back end of the 2020/21 season.

He missed all of last season and only returned to training with the Boro first team early this year.

Carrick has been enormously impressed with Fisher's attitude and his determination to return after so long out of action, and one of the big plus points of the final day draw with Coventry for the head coach was the fact he was able to introduce the former Preston right-back from the bench in the final stages.

It was the first time Fisher had been included in a matchday squad this season and his first appearance for Boro since April, 2021.

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Carrick said: "I was really keen to get Darnell involved and back on the pitch. He's worked so hard.

"He's had an unbelievably tough run with a long, long time out and he's trained so hard and worked so hard.

"He's had different setbacks so credit to him, he's trained and trained and deserves it. I was really pleased, that was a big positive."

Fisher's Boro contract is due to expire this summer. With Tommy Smith having recently signed a new deal and Anfernee Dijksteel impressing in his recent outings at right-back, Fisher looks likely to move on at the end of the season as things stand.

Derby County, who are plotting a League One promotion push after missing out on the top six this season, have been linked with the 29-year-old.