MICHAEL CARRICK expects Tommy Smith to still play a major role with Middlesbrough even though he might not kick a football again this season.

Smith suffered a serious Achilles injury during last weekend’s home win over Birmingham City, and scans have subsequently revealed significant Achilles damage.

The full-back will be sidelined for a number of months, and while there is a slight chance he could be able to return in the spring, the likelihood is that his season is already over.

That will be a huge blow for Boro, both in terms of Smith’s contributions as part of the back four and his wider influence within the dressing room as one of the senior members of the Teessiders’ squad.

However, while Carrick accepts he will have to find a way of covering for Smith’s absence on the field, he will be encouraging the 31-year-old to continue to play a leading role off the pitch.

“We’ll support Tommy to try and get him back as quickly as we can,” said Carrick, who was speaking ahead of Boro’s weekend home game with Stoke City. “But he can still be a big part of the group still, even though he’s not fit and he can’t play.

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“He can still have a big impact in and around it. There are different ways he can do that. It’s not easy when you’re not involved on the pitch and you can’t play. But this is such a tight group and the training ground is what it is, with everyone in it together.

“That environment off the pitch is just as important as on the pitch. How everyone is feeling off the pitch can influence what happens on it.

“So, absolutely, Tommy will still be in and around it as much as possible once things settle down and he can be. We’ll definitely use him as best as we can and keep him involved.”