MICHAEL CARRICK has ruled out delving into the free agent market to solve Middlesbrough’s mounting injury issues.

Boro lost their first-choice right-back, Tommy Smith, to a season-ending injury this week, with the 31-year-old having sustained an Achilles problem that is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the campaign.

Centre-half Darragh Lenihan is struggling with a combination of Achilles and ankle issues, while Boro’s medical staff have been unable to put a timescale on Riley McGree’s anticipated return from a foot injury.

With loanee Lewis O’Brien expected to be out of action until the turn of the year, and Marcus Forss also on the sidelines, Boro are facing multiple injury issues, but Carrick does not feel there is a need to look outside of the current squad for a solution to the club’s problems.

“We won’t be looking to sign any free agents at this stage,” said the Boro boss. “Injuries are part of football and we’re just going through an unfortunate stage right now.

“I smile about it, but it’s a wry smile really because we don’t want to lose anyone. But that’s football and at some point, you’re always going to have to take injuries and lads are going to suffer injuries or illness or whatever it may be. But that’s why we’ve got the squad that we have.”

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The depth of Boro’s squad has been highlighted in recent weeks, with Morgan Rogers having come off the bench to score the winner in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Birmingham City and Sammy Silvera having made a goalscoring contribution as a substitute in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory at Norwich City.

Emmanuel Latte Lath has scored two goals in his seven Championship appearances, and is gradually finding his feet following a summer move from Atalanta, while Anfernee Dijskteel and Matt Clarke are both pushing for a place in the side after returning from their own long-term injury issues.

“The boys have shown over the past couple of weeks the impact that the whole group can have at certain times,” said Carrick. “That’s been epitomised by Morgan and Sammy coming off the bench and scoring winners in the last two games.

“That’s great to see for me and everyone will have their moments over the course of the season. That’s just how it is and why we’ve got the squad that we’ve got.”