MICHAEL Carrick has a "problem" - but it's the sort of dilemma he'll relish rather than lose sleep over.

Middlesbrough have identified the areas of their squad that they think need strengthening this summer but one department that doesn't need any work is the heart of the defence.

Boro might well have lost Paddy McNair this summer but they still have what Kieran Scott describes as "four top class centre-backs" jostling for position.

Rav van den Berg looks to have positioned himself as Boro's first choice central defender after an outstanding first season on Teesside, while Darragh Lenihan - who missed almost the entirety of last season - will be fully fit again for the start of pre-season. Boro also have Dael Fry to come back from injury.

But Lenihan and Fry might have something of a problem themselves - how do they dislodge Matt Clarke from the side?

Twelve months ago that would have seemed the most unlikely question to ever be asking. At that stage Clarke was still battling a serious back injury and, at certain stages, there had been doubts as to whether the 27-year-old would ever be able to play again, never mind establish himself in Boro's backline.

But Clarke's comeback and brilliance last term was undoubtedly one of the stories of the season.

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Consider Clarke didn't make his comeback until the dying minutes of the home win against Preston at the end of November and didn't make a start until the defeat to Ipswich in mid-December, it's staggering that only nine outfield players ended up racking up more minutes for Boro last term.

Clarke started and didn't miss a minute in the last 13 league games and was a pivotal figure as Carrick's side finished the campaign so impressively.

That after almost 14 months out of action.

"There were question marks whether Matt was going to be able to play football again," says Scott, who admits he was blown away by the defender's comeback.

"Nobody has really come back from that injury and played at that level. I think he was absolutely magnificent. He's a top guy as well, a good pro, a standard driver, a good fella.

"I thought he was brilliant on the pitch and grew into it. And Michael has a right problem with four top class centre-backs.

"It's a really good four. Darragh is back, he's been good to go for a while but it was pointless rushing him back. But he's ready to go and will come back really good. We'll do the same with Dael then obviously we have the other two lads. It's a really good four."