Middlesbrough FC: New Ben Doak update emerges | OneFootball

Boro boss Michael Carrick has revealed Ben Doak is set to return to training next week.

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick says he expects Ben Doak to return to training next week ahead of a return.

The exciting Liverpool loanee has lighted up the Championship over the course of this season but has missed Boro’s last four second tier outings with a thigh issue, coinciding with a dip in form for the Teesside outfit.

Boro desperately need a spark to arrest a slide which has seen them lose six of their last seven Championship games, which has led to Carrick’s side falling from fifth to 13th in the table and lying seven points adrift of a play-off place, with the team lacking creative flair without the 19-year-old.

Such a poor run of form has led to questions arising about Michael Carrick’s future, but owner Steve Gibson is reportedly set to back the former Manchester United midfielder and give him time to turn this slump around.

Middlesbrough face a trip to Stoke City this evening before hosting relegation-threatened Derby County on the weekend, with a return of six points desperately needed to breathe confidence into the side and get back on the winning trail for the final portion of the campaign.

With consistency needed now to squeak into the top six, Middlesbrough will be buoyed by the imminent return of Doak, with Carrick putting a timeline on when to expect the livewire to appear.

Ben Doak expected to return to training next week

Speaking ahead of their Championship clash with Mark Robins’ Stoke City side, Michael Carrick revealed that Ben Doak could be back in full training by next week.

This in turn rules out the youngster for the meeting with the Potters and the Rams, along with key midfielder Riley McGree, but Doak is set to provide a much-needed boost between then and May.

As reported by the Scotsman, Carrick said: “I don’t expect the injured lads to be back for the weekend, they’re a little bit further away than that.

“It shouldn’t be too long after that, maybe a week or two. We’re hoping that Ben (Doak) will be in and around it in terms of training next week. We don’t want to put too much of a deadline on that.

“Everyone’s waiting to see when he’s fit, I get that, but we’ll have to wait and see. He’s not too far away now, so that’s good.”

Ben Doak can give Middlesbrough a much-needed lift

Ben Doak has showcased his talents to the rest of the second tier fabulously over the course of this season, recording three goals and seven assists from 24 appearances.

Middlesbrough’s drop-off in form goes to show how much of a key asset he is at the Riverside Stadium, with his pace, direct running and unpredictability all valuable attributes that have seen him make a name for himself in the Championship.

In Doak’s absence, Middlesbrough have mustered only four goals in as many games, and will rely on the 19-year-old’s cutting edge in order to see them romp past opposition teams once again.

Whether Doak’s recovery is timely enough to see Middlesbrough rejoin the race for the top six remains to be seen, but a return to action gives them the best possible chance of making a late charge.