MICHAEL CARRICK insists Jonny Howson remains as influential and important as ever – despite the veteran midfielder being left on the substitutes’ bench for last weekend’s Wear-Tees derby win over Sunderland.

Having missed Middlesbrough’s win over Cardiff City because of illness, Howson was back in the fold for his side’s derby showdown at the Stadium of Light.

However, despite having his skipper back in the squad, Michael Carrick opted to select Dan Barlaser and Hayden Hackney as his midfield pairing, meaning Howson had to be content with a place on the bench.

The 35-year-old was not called into action as Boro ran out emphatic 4-0 winners, and it will be interesting to see what Carrick decides to do when his side return to action after the international break with a home game against Birmingham City.

There will be an understandable temptation to keep Barlaser and Hackney intact as his central-midfield duo, although the Boro boss is adamant Howson remains a key component of his Boro squad.

“Jonny has been terrific,” said Carrick. “I think he and Hayden do fantastic together in terms of control and dominating the midfield. Against Southampton, he got the big moment in terms of taking the penalty, but more for me was the overall performance that day. All the elements that went into that are what we know Jonny is capable of.

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“With Hayden and Dan, who have done so well recently, and Lewis (O’Brien) to come in, we feel like we’ve got a really good mix in there. Jonny is stable, sets the example and is quality. For me, he is severely underrated in terms of how good a footballer he is, and I think he’s shown that over a long period of time now.”

As well as being an influential performer on the pitch, with his defensive attributes enabling him to stand apart from Boro’s other central-midfield options, Howson is also an important leader within the first-team group.

As the custodian of the captain’s armband, he leads by example rather than ranting or raving, but Carrick is well aware of the sway he holds within the dressing room and feels Hackney, in particular, has benefited from having Howson around him.

“I think, as a young player, you can come in and rely on a senior player next to you to lean on and get you through,” said the Boro boss. “The next bit after that is flourishing and backing yourself to do what you’re capable of doing.

“I think we’ve seen that evolve with Hayden since I’ve been here. Jonny was a big part of him doing so well, and I think Hayden would say that as well. He had that player he could trust next to him, and it takes the burden off a little bit.

“I think we’ve then seen, this season, Hayden kicking on to another level, and that comes from having the confidence that he built up last season, which Jonny was helping him with. That’s why you want senior players to set the example. We have a number of young players, and the senior boys are vital to helping the team be better.”