MICHAEL Carrick insists Isaiah Jones is still part of his plans at Middlesbrough and says the winger can play a part in the promotion push.

After a stunning breakthrough season last term, Jones has fallen down the pecking order under Carrick and hasn't been in the matchday squad for the last four league games.

His absence has reportedly turned heads elsewhere, with clubs monitoring the winger's situation and potentially plotting summer moves.

But Carrick scoffed at suggestions that Jones could be on his way and insists the 23-year-old is still very much in his Boro thinking.

"He's a big part of the squad, Izzy," said Carrick.

"It looks at times because he hasn't been involved but it doesn't mean he's that far away. We have good options and a really strong squad. I wouldn't write any player off.

"There's a lot of games and a lot of football still to play, so we'll need everyone. We've had everyone and we need the group to stay strong."

Jones was a regular for Boro in the early stages of Carrick's tenure but lost his place in the team at the turn of the year and has slipped out of the matchday squad in the last couple of months.

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Carrick says the fact Jones hasn't yet managed to force his way back into the matchday 18 is not because he hasn't seen the reaction he'd have hoped for from the winger but rather evidence of the strength of his Boro squad.

He said: "I think it's just the quality of the group and the squad.

"There are two sides to having that. It means there are really good players and good lads who are going to miss out but at the same point it gives us good flexibility and good options and we feel really strong.

"That's football. Sometimes through your career you're in and flying, other times you're not involved as much as you want. But that can change so quickly, even though at some point you might feel further away than you actually are.

"That's the thing about being in a successful team and strong squad, the competition for places. The boys are thriving off that."