MIDDLESBROUGH have been handed a major fitness boost ahead of Saturday's visit of Stoke City, with Michael Carrick hoping Rav van den Berg is in contention to return.

The Dutch defender hasn't played for Boro since the defeat at Derby on the second weekend of the season but has stepped up training and is now "close", says Carrick.

And in further positive news for Boro, the knee injury Alex Gilbert suffered in training last week isn't as bad as first feared. Gilbert is still expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks but Boro were initially concerned the forward would face a lengthy spell out of action.

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Marcus Forss is also progressing well in his recovery, though this weekend could come too soon, while captain Jonny Howson will also be missing against Stoke. He's not yet ready to return.

Dael Fry, Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith remain sidelined.

Carrick said: "We thought it might have been worse than it is for Alex, hopefully it's only going to be a couple of weeks. We thought it might be worse with the way he twisted his knee, but it's pretty positive.

"Rav has been in and around the group quite a bit. He's pretty close to being in contention. Jonny is just a bit further behind.

"Marcus is in and around the group. Whether Saturday or Tuesday is a bit too soon, we're just working to get him back.

"We won't rush Marcus. The type of injury he had and the period he's been out, I'm not one for rushing a player back. It's careers we're dealing with. Patience comes into our thinking, he's not quite there but he's not far away. He's looking good in training so it's a real positive."