Boro injury latest for Norwich with positive news on Jones and Coburn update

Middlesbrough duo Jonny Howson and Isaiah Jones have both returned to training this week in their bid to return to full fitness at a pivotal time for the club.

Captain Howson was feared to have suffered a longer-term knee injury last month in the defeat at Preston North End but head coach Carrick revealed last week that it hadn't proven as serious as first feared, with a hope to have him back training this week. Isaiah Jones wasn't expected to be as close, however.

The pacey wide man has been absent since suffering a hamstring injury in the draw with Rotherham United in January. With his ability to beat a man and move defences out of their shape as a result, he's certainly been a miss. While it's uncertain at this stage whether either will be ready for Norwich City's visit to the Riverside on Wednesday evening, it's certainly a boost to have them back as poor form has seen Boro fall to just six points above the relegation zone.

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Asked for an injury update ahead of Norwich, Carrick said: “We’ve got a bit of better news this week really because both Jonny and Izzy are a little bit closer to being involved. They’re just starting to get in and around the group now and that’s good.

"They’ve obviously been out for different periods of time so we’ll have to see when the time is right for them to be back involved with the games. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same. Everyone who is out is a little bit closer but not as close as Jonny and Izzy."

As well as the soon-to-return duo, Boro also have Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith, Alex Bangura and Hayden Hackney who are more longer-term absentees. But Dael Fry and Josh Coburn have also been missing of late, with Carrick hoping both can return to training during the upcoming international break.

Fry has been missing since the recent defeat to Bristol City, while Coburn has struggled with a pelvic issue for a number of months now. The striker underwent a minor procedure to clean it out shortly before Christmas and did return to action over the festive period and into the New Year. However, his last league start came on New Year's Day, and he's not even made the match-day squad for the last five games.

“It’s definitely not this week, I know that," Carrick said of the Teesside pair. "Dael’s a little bit further on. Maybe during the international break, around that time, and Josh is very similar. He’s had his pelvic problem in and around his groin area.

"We tried to manage it for a little bit but it was best that he took some time to rest, recover and repair. He’s going through that at the moment and we’ll get him back as quickly as we can.”