Middlesbrough is on edge as they await news about the availability of three key players before their crucial match against league leaders Leicester City on Saturday. The team’s recent defeat to Preston North End was their fourth consecutive game without a league win and has left them trailing the play-off places by seven points. The upcoming game against Leicester is already their toughest on paper and not having their full squad available could make it even more challenging.
In addition to lacking a recognized center-forward, Middlesbrough were without Dael Fry and saw Hayden Hackney leave the game with a twisted knee. Their injury situation is uncertain, as head coach Carrick explained after the match. He mentioned that Dael has a pelvic/groin issue and they will have to wait and see how it settles before Saturday’s game. Hayden’s knee injury is also being monitored, as it can be unpredictable. Manu is described as “touch and go” for Saturday’s game, but his long absence means they have to be cautious with his return.
The absence of these three key players would be a major setback for Middlesbrough, especially considering the continued unavailability of Latte Lath and Josh Coburn. The team has been relying on Sam Greenwood to play as a striker in recent games, but he has yet to make a significant impact. Carrick also provided an update on Coburn’s injury, revealing that it has been a struggle for him and the team is unsure of the timeline for his return. They are hoping it won’t be long-term, but they are giving him time off to see if it will settle down.
Overall, Middlesbrough faces a difficult challenge against Leicester City, and the uncertainty surrounding their key players adds to the pressure.
