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Rav van den Berg and Lukas Engel near injury returns as Middlesbrough's plans are revealed

craig johns
·2-min read
Rav van den Berg and Lukas Engel near injury returns for Boro
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Rav van den Berg and Lukas Engel are both nearing returns for Middlesbrough after spells on the sidelines through injury, with both able to do some light training over the last week or so.

Engel has been absent since September having played the early weeks of the season with a pelvic issue. Neto Borges arrival from Clermont Foot allowed Boro to take the Dane out of the firing line to begin his rehabilitation to try and solve the issue.

Van den Berg, meanwhile, has been absent since October's draw at Norwich City after suffering a knee injury. It's the young Dutch star's second injury of the campaign and a potential concern for Boro given his importance in a stellar maidan campaign at the Riverside.

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Explaining Boro's plans for easing the pair back into the fold, Carrick said: “Both Lukas and Rav are back on the grass. Lukas has been out for a long period of time so might take a little bit longer in terms of coming back into training fully with the squad. Rav is gradually getting back on the grass and hopefully won’t be too long.

"His issue with his knee was just one of those things - he planted his foot with no one around him and felt discomfort. It’s a one-off kind of thing for him. We forget how young Rav is sometimes. There is definitely that duty to look after the younger boys - preventing the injuries to start with, but also preparing them for a career. Rav is still so young and yet relatively experienced as well. Hopefully we get him back soon.”

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick said Dael Fry is raring to go having played another 90 minutes for the under-21s last Tuesday night in their 4-1 victory at Halifax Town in the National League Cup. Fry returned to action for the first time since February in Boro's win over Luton Town a fortnight ago.