MICHAEL Carrick has told of his delight at seeing Matt Clarke back on the Middlesbrough training pitches, but the head coach has stressed the need for patience with the defender, who has been sidelined for almost a year.

Clarke joined Boro in the summer of 2022 but made just six appearances before suffering a problematic back injury that has kept him out of action since last October.

Carrick hailed the "driven and positive" former West Brom and Derby defender for the way he's dealt with the issue, and there now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for the 26-year-old, who resumed training during the international break.

He'll now be carefully managed to guard against any further setbacks.

"It's brilliant for Clarkey, he's obviously been out for a long period of time," said Carrick at his press conference on Thursday afternoon.

"To have him back round the group and managing his training load after so long out, it's important we look after him and do the right things and we're patient.

"We're delighted to have him back around training with the boys and managing him through his next steps. He's been out a long period of time and he's still managing his training.

"Fortunately for myself I never really had to go through a period like that when I was out of the game when I was playing, but I've seen it a number of times.

"Clarkey has dealt with it ever so well. He's so driven and positive and is desperate to keep doing the right things to give himself the best chance.

"When you have someone like that it's important you manage it right, because as footballers you're desperate to be back fit as soon as possible. When it is such a long period of time there has to be a balance.

"It hasn't been easy for him but he's dealt with it ever so well and he's come through the other end now which is fantastic to see.

"It's great to see him back on the grass and just enjoying his football without any expectation from us at this stage. It's just having him out most days and building him up is great to see."

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Saturday's trip to Blackburn will obviously come too soon for Clarke, while Anfernee Dijksteel remains out of action.

But Marcus Forss has returned to training after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of the defeat to QPR and meant he wasn't able to link up with Finland during the international break.

Tommy Smith is also set to step up his training after suffering a recurrence of the ankle injury that he suffered in the summer.

Carrick said: "Marcus has trained the last day or so because he missed the international call-up.

"We're seeing the boys who have come back. We'll get to grips with who's coming back. You hear they're alright but until they come back, you're waiting to see how they travel and how they are.

"Hopefully we'll have more to choose from than we did last time.

"Anf is a little bit further off. Tommy is just starting to train. Whether it's too soon for him or not, we'll have to wait and see."