Michael Carrick says Isaiah Jones remains part of his Middlesbrough plans as he refused to be drawn on speculation that the winger wants to quit the club next month.

The emergence of loan star Ben Doak means Jones's game-time has been limited this season. He's managed only one start since the end of September when Doak first came into the side, though he's remained an important part of Carrick's squad, coming off the bench in all but five of Boro's Championship games this season.

Despite that, a report from Football League World this week claimed that the 25-year-old was seeking more regular game time and would be looking to leave Boro when the transfer window opens next month. Despite that, Jones looked full of smiles as he was pictured in Boro training with his team-mates on Thursday ahead of the weekend trip to Plymouth Argyle.

READ MORE: Former boss Chris Wilder has already told Middlesbrough what to expect against Plymouth Argyle

READ MORE: Middlesbrough predicted line-up for Plymouth Argyle with two changes after Millwall win

Asked about the speculation of a Jones exit, Carrick said: "There are reports on quite a lot...nothing has changed from my perspective. He's part of the squad. I know he hasn't played as much as he'd like to but there's no change from my point of view. It doesn't change the way we treat the players.

"It's important to understand that it's not just because you're playing you're important. Every player has a role to play and that's part of being in a good squad and good team. We keep pushing every individual to get better. Sometimes you'll be in the team, sometimes you might not be. That's the nature of being competitive."

Boro head into the January transfer window open-minded to strengthening their squad if the right opportunities arise, but by no means desperate to do so. With their squad at its maximum as far as the league's registration rules are concerned, players would have to leave before more can be added.

Though Jones hasn't started much, there would be longer term implications to his sale. Doak is only on loan from Liverpool and there are no realistic prospects of securing his services beyond the season. Marcus Forss, meanwhile, is having an injury-hit campaign so far. Micah Hamilton can operate from the right too, but has played exclusively from the left in a Boro shirt so far, while struggling as yet to make an impact.