THERE'S mixed news on the injury front for Middlesbrough, with Marcus Forss closing in on a return to action but Alex Bangura is still out and Rav van den Berg will continue to be closely monitored ahead of Saturday's trip to Watford.

Forss has missed Boro's last three games with a thigh injury but is making good progress, though it's not clear at this stage whether he'll be involved at Vicarage Road.

Defender van den Berg was forced off in the second half of last week's win over Southampton with a hamstring issue and missed the midweek cup success at Bradford City.

Carrick said: "Rav is a little bit touch and go, we'll have to wait and see. He had a bit of a neural problem at the top of his hamstring so we'll have to see how he goes. Marcus, we're hopeful that he can be back around the group."

The news isn't as positive on Bangura, who Carrick says faces a "little bit longer" on the sidelines.

The left-back suffered a hamstring injury in the second half of his debut at Blackburn earlier this month and hasn't played since.

Carrick said: “It’s frustrating for him, no denying that. But he’s a good lad and he’s got his head down and he’s working hard. His career at Middlesbrough isn’t going to be defined by one or two weeks now, it’s a process and so we have a responsibility to make sure that he’s right to perform.

"We look after him and he’s fine. He’s training hard to get fit, as you might expect, and there is plenty of time for him to improve, develop and become a big part of the group."

READ MORE:

Carrick said Bangura's new teammates are making sure he still feels part of the group despite the injury.

The head coach said: “Helping Alex in this period is a big part of it. It’s easy when things are going well and you have success and headlines from that. But actually it’s away from that when it have the biggest impact.

"The group are so good and important in times like this, especially the leadership group. They all look after each other, and I think all the boys would say they feel that, especially the boys that have just come in.

"That’s no more so when you might feel you’re out of it, like Alex could. Here, the group make sure they still part of it even if you have to sit out for a week or two."