MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Tom Glover has been ruled out for the rest of the season after having minor surgery on a finger injury.

But Paddy McNair is back in training and the defender is in contention to return to action for Monday night's visit of Leeds United.

While McNair will feature in the final weeks of the season, Carrick all but confirmed that won't be the case with Dael Fry and Josh Coburn. Boro, who will continue to closely monitor Hayden Hackney, will also be without their longer term absentees for the last three games, with Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith, Riley McGree and Marcus Forss still some way off.

"Paddy is back around the group, Alex (Bangura) is obviously back around the group and has been training for a number of weeks which is really pleasing," said Carrick.

"Josh is a bit further off, Dael is a bit further off. That's pretty much where we're at."

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Glover - who was last week linked with Celtic, Rangers, Newcastle and FC Copenhagen - played 16 consecutive games for Boro while Seny Dieng was missing through injury at the turn of the year but lost his place at the start of March. Prior to last week's game at Ipswich, he was on the bench, but it was then revealed he'd been suffering with a finger injury.

Carrick said: "He's had a really small procedure on his finger, so he'll miss the next three games. It's not a big deal."

Centre-half Fry has been missing with a pelvic injury since February, while Coburn has only featured three times since the turn of the year. He's been battling a problematic groin injury that required minor groin before Christmas, and while the striker is unlikely to play again this season, Carrick is confident Boro have now got to the bottom of the issue and the 21-year-old will be fully fit for the start of pre-season.

Carrick said: "It all seems in a good place with Josh. He's back on the grass, not totally with us but he's back on the grass.

"At certain times with certain players, you have to look after them a little bit and give them a bit more time. You might take a hit short term but there's a long career ahead for the boys so it's our responsibility to look after them. We're confident Josh will be in good shape."