MICHAEL Carrick says he'll address Middlesbrough's attacking struggles after his out of form side fired another blank at Stoke City on Saturday.

Boro have failed to score and managed just three shots on target in their last two games but Carrick says it's crucial his side don't lose faith in the forward areas of the pitch.

"Listen, it’s one of the hardest things to do, create and score goals," he said, with Boro preparing to host in-form Norwich City at the Riverside on Wednesday night.

"At the moment it’s not quite coming for us. We’ll look at that. We know the boys have got the quality and we created opportunities (at Stoke), especially early on. On another day we could take them, and the boys are certainly capable of taking them.

"We’ve just got to dig deep really, keep believing and keep doing the right things."

READ MORE:

The fit-again Emmanuel Latte Lath made his first start at Stoke since the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg victory over Chelsea back in January. Carrick has been encouraged by what he's seen from the striker since his return from an ankle injury and believes Boro will benefit in the coming weeks as Latte Lath gets fitter and sharper.

“He’s fit and it's good to have him back," said Carrick.

"I thought he had a couple of good opportunities (on Saturday) that another day he might have taken. That’s what he is, he’s lively, he’s quick, he’s sharp and he gives us something a bit different.

"The more games he’ll have the more he’ll definitely benefit and hopefully so will we.”

One plus point on an otherwise desperately disappointing day for Boro at Stoke was Rav van den Berg captaining the side for the first time.

The Dutch defender is just 19 but has enjoyed a hugely impressive first season in the Championship and Carrick didn't think twice about handing the teenager the armband in the absence of the likes of Jonny Howson, Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan.

"He's played an awful lot this year and he's got a real presence," said Carrick of van den Berg.

"I know he's young and I understand that but I thought he proved why I picked him as captain.

"I thought he played well in tough circumstances. That was the reason for that decision. He has a bright future."