IT'S not great news on the injury front for Jonny Howson, with the Middlesbrough midfielder suffering with a calf problem that will keep him out for the coming weeks.

But with Boro's captain unavailable to play, he took the opportunity to join the fans in the away end at Hull City on New Year's Day.

It was something he spoke to Michael Carrick about beforehand and Boro's boss couldn't have been any clearer in his message to the skipper: do it!

Carrick has previous, having been part of Manchester United away ends while he was injured during his playing career.

No doubt the boss and his players will have enjoyed watching the social media videos that emerged from the MKM Stadium of Howson starting chants.

And what an away end to be part of, with the sell-out following treated to a last gasp Alex Gilbert winner deep in stoppage time that secured a crucial victory for Carrick's side.

"I hope he didn't leave early," joked Boro's boss.

"I spoke to him about it the other day - we had the conversation about him going into the away end.

"I told him he had to do it and that I was all for it. I’ve done it myself in the past with my son and daughter. I said ‘You’ve got to do it. You’ll enjoy it’."

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This hasn't been the most enjoyable of seasons for Howson, who has endured his fair share of injury frustration.

He missed two months of action early in the campaign after suffering a hamstring injury in the Carabao Cup win at Leeds.

And after returning to the side last month and starting successive games against Millwall and Plymouth, the 36-year-old faced more frustration when he picked up a free injury.

Carrick said: “Jonny’s struggling with his calf at the moment. He felt that and is probably going to be out a bit longer. It’s unfortunate. It was nice to see him take that opportunity to be in the away end."