Howson and Jones were injured against Chelsea after Carrick was forced to change plans.
Middlesbrough’s Isaiah Jones injured against Rotherham
MICHAEL Carrick hopes Jonny Howson can return to Chelsea on Tuesday night – but whoa, Middlesbrough are now waiting for Isaiah.
Howson was ruled out of the draw at Rotherham with an injury in training and Boro were dealt another blow on Saturday and early in the game when Isaiah Jones was forced off with a hamstring problem.
Carrick is now crossing his fingers that Jones’ problem is minor and the winger – a key player for Boro – will be fit for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.
In an update on the injury situation, Carrick said: “Jonny has missed training so he will just see how he goes. It wasn’t a holiday or anything, he wasn’t available. I don’t know about Chelsea. I hope so, but I don’t know for sure.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Izzy. We’re hoping it’s a bit of a nerve or nerve thing rather than a muscle injury, but right now we don’t know.
“I’m hoping. for the best, but we’ll have to wait and see. We are waiting for the medical team and we will find out where he is.
“I wouldn’t take a chance on him or the other players long term if they weren’t fit. Look, Tuesday is an important game and a big game, but let’s see who we have and pick the best team”
Jones’ injury forced Carrick to change his plan and the manager had to introduce Marcus Forss much earlier than he would have liked – but the striker emerged unscathed and won Boro’s late equalizer
“Playing Markus for so long was not the plan, to be honest” Carrick said.
“Even we had to take him, I thought behind my back that I might have to bring him later, but he was fine”
