JONNY Howson has still not taken part in a single training session since his return from injury, making his fine displays at the heart of Middlesbrough's defence all the more impressive.
After a three-month absence, Howson was forced to return from the bench ahead of schedule after Dael Fry's injury blow in last week's defeat to Swansea.
And he has since played the full 90 minutes in the win over QPR and Saturday's draw at Luton - but is yet to actually train with the first time, Michael Carrick revealed.
Carrick has been blown away by his captain, who has come to Boro's rescue after an injury crisis left Carrick without any recognised central defenders.
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"Jonny, he still hasn't trained," said Carrick after Saturday's Kenilworth Road stalemate, with Neto Borges again impressing alongside Howson in the heart of the Boro defence.
"I still can't tell you how big of a thing it is to have got through this week.
"It's incredible how he's played the games and dealt with it after not training after so long out.
"Neto stepped up as well, took bangs and whacks and he was immense today with Jonny. We had to ride out luck at times but I think we earned that really with the spirit and togetherness."
On Howson, Carrick added: "He hasn't had a training session with us. He literally came on against Swansea without having a session, put himself forward and told us he was available.
"He got a few funny looks from the medical staff because as I said at the time it was a calculated gamble.
"We've wrapped him up and he's played two different games and two 90s minutes. It's an incredible thing for him to do.
"At the age he's at, it's all about experience, managing the game and managing himself. It's a huge contribution."
