MICHAEL Carrick was disappointed that Boro's attempt to overturn Dael Fry's Sunderland red card was rejected, but says the defender's suspension offers a "great opportunity" for whoever comes in to replace the Teessider against Watford.

Boro's head coach was furious with the pivotal red card and penalty decision in Sunday's defeat to the Black Cats and his frustration deepened when the club's appeal was turned down this week.

But Carrick always stresses the importance of his squad and the absence of Fry against the Hornets presents an opportunity, with Paddy McNair favourite to step in having deputised impressively for Darragh Lenihan against Millwall.

“We’re disappointed and there’s not much more to say on that," said Carrick of the failed appeal against Fry's suspension.

"We appealed and obviously you spoke to me after the game, so you know my thoughts on that. We were disappointed with the original decision so we appealed it and unfortunately it wasn’t successful. You just have to accept that now and move on.

“Players get injured and players get suspended. Different things get thrown up and that’s why the squad is so vital to us. Whoever comes into the team, it’s a great opportunity in a great game. That’s why we have a good squad and if a player has to miss one or two there is someone to come in. For me, it doesn’t change, I don’t think twice about it. I believe in all of them."

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Boro are looking to bounce back from their Stadium of Light defeat, and will climb above third-place Watford with a win against Slaven Bilic's side on Saturday. Carrick is relishing what he knows is a tough test and has been pleased by the manner in which his players have reacted to the Sunderland setback.

He says: "It will be tough and a challenge for us. They have real strengths in certain areas and they’re a good team, so it’s a challenge for us. League positions are irrelevant really in terms of we approach the game. The boys have been really good this week in and around the place and we’re in a really good frame of mind.

“I wouldn’t say it (the Sunderland defeat) has motivated us because that would mean we weren’t motivated enough in the first place. Ups and down are part of football. You’re going to get results and performances that go for you, and some that don’t. That’s just how it is. It’s going along that road and taking the bumps when they come and smoothing them out when we can.

“Momentum is important. Confidence, belief and momentum take you a long way through the course of a season. The next game now is a good one for us to play in, a good challenge and, of course, we want to get back to winning ways. But it’s not extra important, it’s just another game to keep doing the right things."

Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, with Matt Clarke and Anfernee Dijksteel still ruled out.