MICHAEL Carrick believes his Middlesbrough side are set to be boosted by the "best version of Riley McGree" after the midfielder's return to Teesside.

McGree and his Australian teammate Sammy Silvera returned to Boro over the weekend after the Socceroos were knocked out of the Asian Cup in the quarter finals by South Korea on Friday night.

Silvera didn't feature in Friday's game but was still a surprise inclusion in Boro's squad for Sunday's derby draw against Sunderland. Having come off the bench to play the final 20 minutes plus all of extra time, McGree was never in contention to feature against the Black Cats, but will be back in the Boro squad for Saturday's visit of Bristol City.

McGree has only started six Championship games so far this season after an injury disrupted first half to the campaign, but the plantar facia injury that troubled him before Christmas is now healed and he's returning to Boro fully fit and ready to play a starring role.

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"He was just hitting his level before he left which was really unfortunate," said Carrick of McGree.

"He'd been injured for quite some time but he's gone away, he's fit and raring to go so we're getting the best version of Riley back and we're getting Sammy back fresh.

"It gives us a big boost."

Explaining Silvera's involvement on Sunday - with the winger replacing goalscorer Marcus Forss in the second half - Carrick said: "Riley played nearly an hour on Friday and the travel. It was a bit of an ask for Sammy but we thought he's back around it, didn't play and got back at a good time yesterday (Saturday), so it was good to get them both back.

"They obviously have a big part to play in the weeks ahead."