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Aidan Morris' important and impressive return and the Middlesbrough player who benefits

Aidan Morris of Middlesbrough holds off the challenge of Karlan Grant
-Credit:Getty Images


Michael Carrick was delighted to see Aidan Morris make his first start for Middlesbrough since November, with the midfielder impressive as he came through the full 90 minutes of Tuesday night's victory over West Brom.

Morris's return proved influential as Boro recorded their first home win of 2025 and leapfrogged the Baggies back into the Championship play-off places. The USA international played 20 minutes on Saturday from the bench in the defeat to Portsmouth, and took a major step in completing 90 minutes in this one.

It was a big leap for the midfielder, who suffered a knee injury while on international duty in November. Showcasing just how much he's been missed in his absence, his aggressive and combative style out of possession helped Boro control the midfield and stay on the front foot in a dominant first half.

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Reacting after, Carrick said: "Aidan played well. We weren't sure how long he was going to last but he got through the game which was good. There were a lot of good performances individually with and without the ball. He's been out since November so it's a fair time out.

"Always when you've been out that long, the first 90 minutes is a big positive step for different reasons: for fitness and mentally to know you can get through it. Especially in a game like that, it was a proper game, a good test and he came through it."

To Boro's benefit overall to have the 23-year-old back, his midfield partner Hayden Hackney particularly benefitted. With Morris's naturally deeper-lying tendencies, he allows Hackney to get further forward and influence matters in more advanced areas of the pitch - something he did well against West Brom - opening the scoring with a stunning long-range strike. Though Carrick played Morris's influence down to protect stand-in Dan Barlaser, he couldn't deny the natural chemistry Boro's first-choice midfield duo have.

He said: "I think Dan has done well when he's played to be honest. Aidan has done really well tonight. He's obviously an important player for us and has made a big impact. H was good again tonight. Terrific goal and his performance was good. They do complement each other pretty well, play off each other and have a good understanding. It's a good positive for us."

There was double injury joy for Boro on the evening, with Luke Ayling also returning to the starting line-up and completing 90 minutes as well. His experience and nous proved key in the second half to manage a tricky 15-minute period as West Brom came out after the interval with far better attacking intent. Impressive on his return, Carrick revealed after that the right-back wasn't only battling with return from injury on the night.

"He was ill overnight as well so that was an extra little thing to deal with," Carrick said. "But he's old enough - even though he won't like me saying that - to deal with it. There's the balance in terms of leadership. Some boys are quieter but lead by example and have a presence. Some shout and scream and have a bit more of an influence vocally.

"It takes a bit of everything. Listen we've won tonight so that leadership one, all of a sudden it looks like everyone's a leader. But the more we can have that personality in the group, it's definitely something we look for."