MIDDLESBROUGH won't have any of their injured players back available for Saturday's game against Cardiff City.

Marcus Forss is back in training but isn't expected to be ready to feature against the Bluebirds, while the game will also come too soon for Aidan Morris.

Morris is in light training as he works his way back from the knee injury he suffered during the November international break and there's a "possibility" he'll be fit for the Blackburn FA Cup tie a week tomorrow, though Carrick won't rush the midfielder.

Jonny Howson will be out for what Carrick described as a "bit longer" with a calf injury and Tommy Conway is again expected to be missing this weekend with a hamstring problem but Luke Ayling is closing in on a return.

Ayling has recovered from the knee injury he suffered against Millwall but also required stitches in his foot and isn't quite ready to resume action.

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Tom Glover will continue in goal this weekend, with Seny Dieng still unavailable and Sol Brynn a long-term absentee.

“We’re not really expecting anyone back for the next game," said Carrick.

"I think it’s too quick a turnaround for that. We’ll see after that.

"Hopefully the Blackburn game we can maybe start getting some boys back for that one. At the minute, it’s kind of where we’re at. "Luke is pretty close. It’s just the cut on his foot now. It was pretty bad and he had to have stitches in that. It was inside of the foot where he kicks the ball, so it’s a bit delicate and a decision in terms of how long you leave it before he starts kicking a ball again.

"It’s pretty straightforward in some ways, but also a bit of an annoying one if anything. We’ll see on Luke.

"Jonny will unfortunately be out a bit longer after feeling his calf. Marcus is back training, fully trained once with us. Aidan is not fully back yet, but is getting there.

"He won’t be back for Cardiff. Possibly the cup game for Blackburn, but it’s just a case of how hard we push it.”

Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith and Alex Bangura are long-term absentees.