HAYDEN Coulson picked up a slight knock in the first half against Auxerre but Michael Carrick had always planned to replace the defender at half-time because he wanted to experiment with Riley McGree at left-back.

Coulson is the only recognised left-back on Boro's books as things stand and strengthening in that area is a priority for the club between now and the end of the transfer window.

The 25-year-old started in the 2-2 draw against Auxerre and went close to getting on the scoresheet when he had an effort well saved moments after the visiting side's opening goal, but the academy graduate was replaced by Sammy Silvera at the break, with McGree, who had played the first half in his usual position on the left side of midfield, dropping into the defence.

McGree didn't play as an orthodox left-back. He slotted into the backline when the visitors were in possession but when Boro had the ball the Australian international joined in with the midfield and supported the attacking players.

Explaining the change and his thinking, Carrick said: "Hayden did take a knock but we were planning on having a look at something different in the second half anyway. It was a bit of both in the end.

"We just looked at it trying to have an extra threat on the backline and using Sammy's speed and still using Riley in his normal role when we have the ball.

"Obviously he had a slightly different role defensively but it was something we just wanted to look at. How much we use it we'll have to wait and see but it was something we wanted to look at."

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Boro mounted a stirring late comeback to salvage a draw against the French second tier visitors, with Hayden Hackney and Morgan Rogers both scoring in second half stoppage time.

“It was good to see them get the goals," said Carrick.

"We kind of decided to start playing in the last five minutes, which was kind of frustrating. But it was a good sign that we managed to finish the game well, with spark and energy, so we can definitely take something from that.

"Listen, those two goals don’t make any difference to what happens next. It was a case of getting minutes for the boys and working on things we’ve been working on, and judging how that went.

"We tried a couple of different things to have a look at it that we'll then go away and assess further.

"It’s obviously good for the boys to score.  I know Hayden’s was a deflection, but Morgan getting his first is important, even if it was just a tap in. That was good for him and hopefully there is more of that to come."