MIDDLESBROUGH will again be without a number of key players for Monday's trip to rivals Luton Town, with Michael Carrick revealing there's been no positive developments on the injury front.

Aaron Ramsey, Dael Fry and Riley McGree are still sidelined, with Carrick confirming that none of the trio are back in training yet.

To add to Boro's injury woes, Tommy Smith and Marcus Forss were both forced off against Hull City in midweek and are unlikely to feature at Kenilworth Road.

Paddy McNair also appeared to pick up a knock in the second half against the Tigers and was replaced.

Asked how Boro are looking on the injury front, Carrick said: "Good question. Very good question.

"We've obviously taken some injuries, numbers are severely down. We're still trying to see who's available and what the options are for Monday."

Ramsey has not yet recovered from the ankle injury he suffered against former club Norwich City last week, McGree hasn't featured since coming off the bench against Bristol City while Fry has been missing since the international break.

Quizzed on whether the trio are back in training, the head coach said: "No. I don't know about the end of the season but it's definitely a no for Monday."

He added: "Tommy got a bad one in the ribs so X-rays, we're waiting to see how that is. Marcus's ankle, he got his ankle caught under the tackle, again waiting on scans so we'll have to assess that when results come back."

The injuries sustained by Smith and Forss presented Anfernee Dijksteel and Isaiah Jones with an opportunity in midweek and the duo took their chance, inspiring Boro's comeback against the Tigers. Both are now in line to start against Luton, who, like Boro, are guaranteed a place in the play-offs.

Carrick said: "I've said it for a while about the squad and how important it is and how well the boys train gives the lads the opportunity when it comes.

"They (Dijksteel and Jones) haven't played an awful lot recently and that's not because we don't believe in them. The boys who've played have done so well so it's not been easy to get everyone in the team.

"To come on at half-time in a game like that isn't easy but I thought they gave us a bit of extra zip and different dynamics down the side. Both were fantastic, I was so pleased for both."