MIDDLESBROUGH are closing in on the appointment of their new manager, with discussions with Michael Carrick having cranked back up in the last 24 hours.

Carrick is now a strong favourite to be appointed at the Riverside, despite an initial round of talks having ended without an agreement last week.

Senior Middlesbrough officials initially spoke to Carrick and his representatives last Tuesday, but discussions concluded without the former England international agreeing to take over on Teesside.

Boro’s temporary coaching structure, led by Leo Percovich, remained in place for Saturday’s home game with Blackburn Rovers, but the 2-1 defeat resulted in the Teessiders dropping back into the Championship relegation zone.

That appears to have sparked a fresh sense of impetus, and it is understood there have been further discussions with Carrick in an attempt to strike a deal.

The former Manchester United midfielder is keen to move into frontline management, having worked as first-team coach at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and presided over three games as caretaker manager after the Norwegian’s departure.

He left Manchester United when Ralk Rangnick was appointed boss, but has regularly outlined his desire to become a manager in his own right.

At this stage, the likely make-up of the backroom team that would work alongside him if he is appointed as Boro boss remains unclear.

Whatever happens in the next 24 hours, Percovich is expected to remain in charge for Wednesday’s Championship game with Wigan Athletic, with the other members of the temporary coaching set-up – Craig Liddle, Mark Tinkler and Lee Cattermole – alongside him in the dugout at the DW Stadium.

However, it is looking increasingly likely that a new manager could be in position when Boro return to action at the Riverside on Saturday as they host Huddersfield Town.

As well as speaking to Carrick, the Middlesbrough hierarchy have also interviewed former Watford and Forest Green Rovers boss Rob Edwards. However, they have not followed up their interest in the 39-year-old, who previously worked with Boro’s head of football, Kieran Scott, at Wolves.