AARON RAMSEY has been training with Middlesbrough’s first-team group this week, but Michael Carrick admits Saturday’s Championship game at Cardiff City could come too soon for the Aston Villa loanee to make his debut.

Ramsey joined Boro in a deadline-day move from Villa Park, signing on loan until the end of the season, but arrived on Teesside in the latter stages of his rehabilitation from the knee injury that curtailed his previous loan spell at Norwich City.

The midfielder was not considered for last weekend’s home victory over Blackpool, and is unlikely to be involved at the Cardiff City Stadium at the weekend, although Carrick has not completely ruled out adding him to the squad.

The Boro boss said: “He’s not quite in full training just yet. I’m not sure whether Saturday might just be a little bit too quick for him, but he’s not far away.

“I’m not ruling it out. He’s pretty close, and he has trained little bits with us. He’s chomping at the bit to be involved, as you would expect. But we’ll take a view on that as it comes.

“AJ is a terrific young talent, and a really good lad as well. He’s fitted in so well. He’s enthusiastic and I spoke a lot about how important it was to me to bring good people into the group, which is already a good group.

“We’ll be patient with AJ. He is obviously here to play, and to have minutes. But he’s had that slight injury that he’s coming back from. So, we just have to manage that and balance things with that in mind.”

Matt Clarke and Rodrigo Muniz both remain unavailable, with the former having suffered a setback in his recovery from a back problem.

The centre-half’s last appearance came in the defeat at Coventry City at the start of October, but Carrick has been impressed with his approach and attitude during his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He said: “Clarkey is going to be out a little bit longer. He’ll be out for a little bit longer, but hopefully we will have a little bit more information on that soon. We’re still trying to do some work because he’s having problems with his back. We’re working hard to fix that.

“He is remarkably positive and upbeat, and driven too to get back. It’s not always easy when you’re out injured, and the rest of the boys are training and playing games. But I’ve been nothing but impressed with how he’s gone about it and how he’s applied himself.

“His attitude and his willingness to get back have been great. Hopefully, he is back sooner rather than later, but we have to do what’s right and make sure he’s looked after well.”

Muniz’s injury issue is less serious, with the Brazilian on track to complete his recovery from a knee issue within the next couple of weeks.

Carrick said: “Rodrigo will probably be back in amongst it in the next week or two. We’ll be delighted to have him back, and have that option again.”