Michael Carrick has revealed Ben Doak could be back in training next week as the Liverpool loanee takes a step closer to returning from injury.
The Scotland international hasn’t played in a month for Middlesbrough due to a thigh issue, stalling what has been an excellent campaign so far. Doak has scored three goals and provided seven assists this season for the North-East club.
And Boro has missed the winger with four straight defeats in his absence, including the 2-1 loss at Bristol City on Saturday. There is understandably real desire for Doak to return to the team immediately but Carrick said fans need to remain patient despite the team dropping from fifth to 13th during his spell on the sidelines.
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“We’re hoping that Ben 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,” the former Manchester United midfielder said ahead of the midweek trip to Stoke City, as per the Northern Echo. “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.”
Doak’s form has been so impressive for Middlesbrough this season that he was linked with a mid-season permanent move to Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town. There have been renewed reports in recent days that the former will return with an offer for the Liverpool protegee this summer.
“He’s got that weapon and unique threat,” Carrick said in January after confirming Doak would remain with Middlesbrough until the end of the season. “The way he plays the game, everyone has their own strengths, but the way Ben plays the game, he’s always in the game and always a threat.
“We’re obviously happy he’ll be staying here. He’s a big role and he’ll continue to do that for the time that he’s here.”
Doak, who joined Liverpool from Celtic in 2022, has made 10 senior appearances for the Reds and has already earned a Carabao Cup winner’s medal during his juvenile career. What the future holds next for the 19-year-old is less certain and Arne Slot may be more likely to retain his services next season if Mohamed Salah leaves.
In the meantime, Doak will hope to resurrect Middlesbrough’s season when he returns from injury. Despite the poor run of form the side sits just seven points off the play-off places and Boro could reduce that gap when it plays its game in hand on Tuesday night.
