MICHAEL Carrick admits he's fearing the worst with Sol Brynn's shoulder injury after the keeper was forced off against Sheffield Wednesday - and it leaves Middlesbrough with problems in goal with Seny Dieng not expected to be fit to return against Burnley on Sunday.

In the absence of Brynn and Dieng, Tom Glover will start in goal against the Clarets and teenager Shea Connor is likely to be the substitute keeper.

Brynn suffered a shoulder injury making a save early in the second half against the Owls on Boxing Day, with Carrick admitting it looks like "a bad one".

To add to Carrick's problems, Tommy Conway was also forced off against Wednesday due to injury and Rav van den Berg will miss the Burnley game through suspension after being sent off on Thursday.

Neto Borges also had to be replaced in the final minutes against Sheffield Wednesday but that was nothing to worry about, said Carrick, and the left-back should be available for Sunday's visit of Scott Parker's side.

"Tommy felt his hamstring a little bit at the start, so we took him off straight away," said Carrick, updating on the injury situation after yesterday's game.

"We’re not sure yet on how serious that will be. Neto’s was more fatigue, cramp, really, so that shouldn’t be serious.

"But Sol looks like it was a bad one with his shoulder. I'm not sure [if it dislocated] but it looked a bad one."

It's awful timing for Brynn, who had just displaced Dieng as Boro's first choice keeper.

Carrick said: "I’m bitterly disappointed for him having to come off. He's done terrific when he's played so it would be a disappointment if he had to miss any games."

RECOMMENDED READING:

• Fuming Michael Carrick's honest verdict on Boro's Sheffield Wednesday collapse

• From one extreme to the other in Middlesbrough player ratings vs Sheffield Wednesday

• From sublime to shambolic and more Boro doubts after Sheffield Wednesday collapse

Aidan Morris isn't in contention to return against Burnley, while Boro could also be without George Edmundson and Jonny Howson, who both missed the Sheffield Wednesday game after picking up niggles. Luke Ayling has a chance of being fit for Sunday. He's been missing since injuring his knee against Millwall earlier this month.

Carrick said: "George and Jonny both picked up niggles in training, so we’ll have to see over the next few days in training whether they’ll be back for the next game or not. Neither should be long-term or serious.

"For Burnley, Aidan and Seny still won't be available but Luke might. We’ll see how he gets on ahead of Sunday.”