DARRAGH Lenihan will miss Middlesbrough's derby game at Sunderland, but there's still no definitive answer on how long the centre-half will be out of action.

Lenihan hasn't played for Boro since the win at Birmingham at the start of the month after suffering a foot injury. He hasn't trained this week and Paddy McNair looks set to continue at centre-half alongside Dael Fry at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Carrick said: “We’re still waiting for an update on Darragh, unfortunately. We don’t know how that’s going to go yet but he hasn’t been involved yet. We’ll have to wait and see, but he’s still not training with the group yet.”

Despite the injury blow for Lenihan, Carrick won't change his transfer plans and won't be tempted into signing a defender this month.

“I think you can look at it in different ways, but I think just because you have someone who might be out for a few weeks, to bring someone else in you then have another player to manage when they become fit again," said Carrick,

"It’s not always the answer just bringing someone else. The balance and the dynamics of the squad are so important to me, and we have to keep that right and the signings have got to be right and not just kneejerk because of an injury. Of course, if it’s really long-term then it’s a different story, but right now we’re really calm."

READ MORE:

Clarke is yet to feature for Boro under Carrick, with the defender having been ruled out since the start of October with a back injury. The defender has suffered a series of further smaller injury setbacks during his rehab and it's not clear when he'll be fit to return.

Carrick said: “He’s done some training with us, Clarkey, but then he’s suffered mini setbacks along the way too. We’re monitoring that at the moment and obviously that’s why I keep stressing the need for patience. It’s not a straightforward injury to manage or come back from, so we’re just seeing how he goes."