Middlesbrough are set to take on Norwich City at the Riverside Stadium on Friday, with a kick-off time of 8pm. Can Boro get their promotion bid back on the rails with a win?

Fan-favourite defender Dael Fry is a major doubt for Friday’s game. The 25-year-old has struggled with injury niggles for almost all of 2023 – Carrick is hopeful he will be fit to play against Norwich, but he is currently unsure. Additionally, Matt Clarke is a confirmed absentee, as he continues to recover from his long-term back injury.

On Fry’s fitness, Carrick said: “We’re still waiting. We’re hopeful but I’m not sure he’ll be fit or not, we’ll have to wait and see.

“We’re hopeful he might be ready [for Friday] but at the same point, it’s one of them, we’re still not sure exactly how it is, we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

In their last league game, Middlesbrough drew 2-2 with Nigel Pearson’s Bristol City. After falling 2-0 down, Boro’s fans expected the worst – however, their team were able to draw level, thanks to goals from Aaron Ramsey and Matt Crooks.

Meanwhile, Norwich played out a dull 0-0 draw with Rotherham United. It was an uneventful game – the Canaries were the better team, but couldn’t find the breakthrough.

The last time the two teams met, Middlesbrough came from behind at Carrow Road to snatch a 2-1 win. The Canaries took the lead early on through Josh Sargent, but second-half goals from Riley McGree and Matt Crooks gave Boro the all-important three points.