MICHAEL Carrick hopes key Middlesbrough players could be in contention to return from injury after the coming international break - with Hayden Hackney, Dael Fry and Josh Coburn all progressing well.

Carrick says Alex Bangura is also closing in on a return, with the left-back having not featured since the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie against Chelsea in January.

Boro are preparing to host Blackburn Rovers this weekend as they look to extend their winning stretch in the Championship to four games and close the gap to the play-offs, which is currently five points.

The mood has been transformed on Teesside after a run of three straight victories, and Boro look set to be further boosted by the return of some crucial players in the next fortnight.

Boro return from the international break with a trip to Southampton on Good Friday, two weeks tomorrow, and Carrick said: "Hopefully we'll have one or two back. I don't want to jump the gun too much but hopefully over the period of the international break, the boys will definitely be closer.

"Whether they're ready to come back straight away after that, we'll have to see but they'll be there or thereabouts."

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Coburn has only started one league games since the middle of November because of an ongoing groin problem, which required minor surgery. Boro tried to manage his game-time but with the problem showing no signs of easing, have given the striker a prolonged stint on the sidelines - and it appears to have done him good. Coburn has missed the last eight games but Carrick hopes the striker can return and play a key role in the final weeks of the season.

He said: "He's alright. He's in that group with the likes of Hayden and Dael and Alex. He's doing well, it's all positive at the moment, it's just picking the right time."

Carrick confirmed Coburn hasn't required any further procedures on the groin issue and said: "It's just a bit of time and rehabbing and getting a bit stronger and a bit fitter. There are no major issues, it's just playing its natural course and hopefully he'll be back pretty soon."

Boro have no fresh injury concerns to deal with on the back of Tuesday's win at Birmingham City and ahead of Saturday's visit of Blackburn.

“We’re hoping to be the same," said Carrick.

"We haven’t done a lot of training but hopefully at this moment in time all the lads will be ready."