Aidan Morris is set to rejoin Middlesbrough training next week and it is hoped he will return for Saturday’s trip to Portsmouth.

Morris has not played for Boro since the 5-1 victory over Luton Town in November. His extended and unwanted absence came after the impressive summer signing suffered a knee injury while in training for the USA National Team.

A summer signing from Columbus Crew, Morris had excelled in the first third of the season and his absence has been felt, with Boro winning only four of the 12 games he’s missed. It had been hoped that he would be back long before now.

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In a positive sign as far as his return to action is concerned, Morris was spotted taking to the Riverside pitch after Saturday’s defeat to Blackburn in the FA Cup to do some running. Part of his continued rehabilitation programme, Morris is now indeed close to returning.

Asked by BBC Tees if Morris was closer, Carrick said: “We’re hoping to have him training with us some time next week. That’s where he’s at. Obviously he’s been out for a number of weeks, but it will be a real positive to have him back.”

Morris’s expected return follows Marcus Forss returning to action against Blackburn. The Finn has endured a really frustrating period with injuries in recent months, but came off the bench to play the final 25 minutes on Saturday.

Carrick said: “He’s had a real stop-start period for some time now. We’ve obviously got to look at that. But he’s back among the group and back fit now and to get him on the pitch was another good step for him.”