PADDY McNair is a doubt for Middlesbrough for Saturday's visit of Reading, with the defender still getting checked after he was stretchered off in the defeat at West Brom.

McNair was forced off at The Hawthorns with a nasty face injury after a clash with striker Daryl Dike and head coach Michael Carrick says it's still not clear whether the Northern Ireland international will be fit for tomorrow's game.

While there's still uncertainty on McNair's condition, Anfernee Dijksteel and Rodrigo Muniz are both fully fit and available.

But summer signing Matt Clarke is still out, with Carrick still unsure when the defender will be fit to return.

If McNair does indeed miss out against Paul Ince's Royals, Dael Fry will replace him and partner Darragh Lenihan at the heart of Boro's defence.

Carrick said: "We're still waiting on Paddy. We're not sure if he'll be available or not, he still has a few checks to go through in that regard. He had a bit of work on his nose earlier in the week because it was in a bit of a state, so he's had that fixed and we're just waiting to see the different procedures as to whether he'll be available at this moment in time. I'm not sure whether he will or whether he won't, we'll have to wait and see."

Fellow defender Clarke hasn't played for Boro since the defeat at Coventry at the start of October in what proved to be Chris Wilder's last game in charge. A back injury has so far sidelined the former Brighton defender for four months - and it's not yet clear when he'll be ready to return.

Carrick said: “Clarkey, there still isn’t an update. It’s still a little bit longer and he’s not really any closer to being back.

"Anf has been fit now for a good few weeks and Rodrigo has been back training for a couple of weeks as well. He’s still getting back up to speed after his spell out, but Anf and Rodrigo are both fit."

Dijksteel came off the bench for the last minute of the win over Watford in January but hasn't been in the squad since. He hasn't been injured, it's just an example of the depth available to Carrick.

Carrick said: “That’s football. We want all the lads involved and of course we’d love to get all of the lads on the pitch. It’s just getting the right balance of the squad and getting the right balance on the bench and keeping the boys ready to step in if needed. The boys have all trained fantastically well and it kind of is what it is."

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On the whole, Carrick has kept a largely settled side during his time in charge so far, but for those who are finding game-time hard to come by, McNair - whether available this weekend or not - is an example of how opportunities need to be grasped.

McNair didn't play a minute for Boro in Carrick's first couple of months in charge, but got a chance after Fry was sent off at Sunderland and has started five out of six games since.

Carrick said: “That’s the game. I remember talking to you about Paddy about three months ago and saying, from my point of view all the players can do is be ready. You’ve got to keep yourself ready so that when that chance comes you are ready to take it. Paddy’s done that fantastically well.

"It’s tough though, it’s not easy at all when you feel like you’re not involved or you haven’t played for a couple of weeks and you’re having to try and keep in tip top shape and stay focused.

"But that’s the game and being part of a good squad. Competition for places is good. I think it’s healthy and it keeps everybody on their toes, pushing up performance levels and you’ve got to be ready when you get your chance."