ALMOST 1,500 miles of travelling in two marathon trips just a few days apart at a cost of hundreds of pounds - Michael Carrick has been left gobsmacked by the "incredible" efforts of Middlesbrough fans this week.

After selling out their allocation at Exeter City on Tuesday night, Boro will be backed by another 1,500-plus sell-out at Plymouth's Home Park this afternoon, backing which Carrick describes as "staggering".

The superb support is a regular topic of conversation in the Boro dressing room, and the players and the coaching team are desperate to reward the diehard fans with another victory today on the back of the midweek Carabao Cup success at St James Park.

"Honestly, it's unbelievable," said Carrick.

"Exeter and Plymouth in four days - and we had Norwich the week before, where we had an unbelievable following. Three of the longest journeys you could get.

"I've said it many times, we don't take it for granted. It's such a big effort and it's not easy in current times. For those travelling there and back and there and back again, we thank them an awful lot. For those who've stayed down there, we hope they've had a nice few days and hopefully we can give them a performance that makes it worthwhile.

"Tuesday night was great and it was brilliant to share that with them at the end. We hope to do that again at Plymouth. We're so thankful for the effort and hope to repay that and hopefully they can see that from the boys on the pitch."

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Carrick added: “It was staggering to have 1,500 down there on Tuesday night, all that way. It’s time, it’s effort, it’s cost.

"It’s impressive and amazing support that we certainly appreciate. They’ve supported us like that throughout my time here.

"We’ve been away in every game in the cup this season and the numbers we’ve had has motivated the players. When they’ve needed it, it’s given them that boost. That’s great, and we then obviously have to give them everything we have to win games because certainly the supporters are giving everything they’ve got. It’s fantastic.

“It's two epic journeys this week and it’s certainly appreciated by us. The boys are aware of it and, of course, we do speak about it.

"I don’t think it’s extra motivation, but it certainly keeps those motivation levels topped up. When you have that support in those numbers and you see how much it means to them, I think that keeps you at a certain level. We never take that for granted.”