MICHAEL CARRICK is delighted to have Isaiah Jones back in his starting line-up for tomorrow’s home game with Hull City, and has challenged the Middlesbrough winger to add some consistency to his attacking game.

Jones was forced to sit out last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Leeds United in the previous game, but along with Anfernee Dijksteel, who was also suspended on Saturday, the 24-year-old will be back in the squad for the visit of Hull.

Jones is set to return to the starting line-up on the right-hand side, with Boro having lacked an attacking threat for long periods of Saturday’s defeat.

The wide-man has shown glimpses of returning to his very best form this season, but Carrick wants to see him hitting the peak of his powers on a more regular basis.

“That’s what we want Izzy to do because we know what he is capable of doing,” said the Boro boss. “Consistency is key for him. How often can he hit that standard that we know he’s capable of? That’s always the biggest challenge, but he’s had a big impact this season and we’re obviously going to need him a lot between now and the end of the season.

“The best are the best because they do it to a level pretty much week in, week out. That is always the challenge – getting that consistency. It’s not an easy thing to get, and it takes hard work, mentality and also a bit of experience.”

Sam Greenwood lined up on the right-hand side for Boro at the weekend, but the Leeds United loanee did not look as effective as he had in a number of his performances on the opposite flank in the last month or so.

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Jones is a more natural fit for the right-wing berth, and with his position high up the pitch meaning he does not have to worry too much about his defensive duties, Carrick wants the Londoner to focus on hurting opposition defences.

“It’s about dialling and tapping into the lads’ strengths,” he said. “That’s always a key part of things – play to your strengths, hide your weaknesses. Everyone has slight weaknesses. As a player, that’s how I used to play – putting myself in positions where I wouldn’t be exposed because you know what you can do and what you’ve maybe got to hide.”

Middlesbrough (probable, 4-2-3-1): Dieng; van den Berg, Fry, Clarke, Engel; Howson, Barlaser; Jones, Crooks, Greenwood; Latte Lath.