MICHAEL Carrick says Lewis O'Brien is not yet ready to return to action for Middlesbrough despite his inclusion on the bench for Tuesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.

O'Brien has been sidelined since fracturing his tibia and suffering ankle ligament damage in the win at Watford back in September and his return to the bench on Tuesday night was a huge boost with Boro's squad currently so stretched.

But Carrick has revealed that O'Brien's inclusion for the visit of Chelsea in the first leg was more about the Nottingham Forest loanee "being in and around the group" and the head coach never considered bringing him on.

That also looks set to be the case at Millwall on Saturday, with Carrick reluctant to rush O'Brien back in to action after three months out.

The fact O'Brien is now knocking on the door is a major boost for Boro and will strengthen a midfield department bolstered by the return of Hayden Hackney in the last week.

“It was just for him to be back around it as a presence," said Carrick, explaining his decision to include O'Brien in the squad on Tuesday.

"He was never really going to play. It was far too soon, but it was his next step was being in and around the group.

"We were stretched enough as it is, really, so it was an opportunity to get him back in and around it because he’s a big part of the group as a character.

"He’s done some training, we wouldn’t have just chucked him in, but he’s been out for a long time. He’s not going to be ready for Saturday either, but he’s coming back in."

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In another major Boro boost, Marcus Forss is now back in training and closing in on a return to action. The forward hasn't played since the win over Birmingham in October.

However, Boro are now anxiously awaiting further news on Emmanuel Latte Lath and Alex Bangura after the pair were forced off against Chelsea.

Carrick said last night: “I don’t know how they are. There’s no point guessing or commenting on it. Hopefully, they’re not too bad. Hopefully, they came off before they did too much damage, but at this stage, I’m not too sure.

"Fortunately, we’ve got some options of boys who weren’t available tonight that can come back into the group. That will certainly help, and we’ll try to get one or two back in and around it with Lewis and Marcus over the next week or so, they should be ready to get involved with a game.

"We get two back and lose two, that’s how it’s going at the minute."