Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway injury boost as Emmanuel Latte Lath nears transfer exit
Middlesbrough could welcome Tommy Conway back to the squad for Monday's clash with Sunderland.
A timely injury boost, the striker has returned to take part in a small part of first-team training this week, as Boro prepare to lose fellow striker Emmanuel Latte Lath. Conway will be unlikely to be in contention to start in the Tees-Wear derby, however, having been out with a hamstring issue since Boxing Day.
Nevertheless, Conway's return could be prfectly timed for Boro, as Latte Lath's exit would result in a replacement centre-forward being signed before the window closes on Monday evening. With Boro not in action again until a week on Wednesday after Sunderland, it gives Conway extra time to boost his fitness, and can act as a means of taking instant pressure of whoever Boro decide to move for as their Latte Lath replacement.
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On Conway's fitness, Carrick said: “Tommy has had a small part of training with us this week. Obviously he’s been out for a little while so we need to be careful with him. But he has been back with the group, albeit only in a small way so far. We’ll assess it as the days go on."
As well as Conway, Carrick is likely to include Morgan Whittaker and Mark Travers in the squad for the Sunderland game. Both would be in line for their Boro debuts in the game. George Edmundson is likely to be back in the match-day 20-man group too, after he returned on a permanent deal last week following the early termination of his loan spell. However, not expecting any other returnees on the injury front, Carrick had bad news on Riley McGree and Jonny Howson.
“There is no one else back this week," he said. "Jonny and Riley are probably both still a number of weeks away really. Riley is back on the grass in a small way - not with us, it’s his rehab. He’s on his way back, but it will be weeks rather than days."