MICHAEL Carrick is weighing up whether Riley McGree is ready to start against Stoke City on Saturday, with Middlesbrough's head coach delighted to have the Australian international back available again but reluctant to rush him back into action.

McGree hasn't featured for Boro since the opening weekend win over Swansea City but has been back on the bench as an unused substitute for the last two games against Preston and Sunderland.

Carrick must now decide on the right time to reintroduce the 25-year-old, with Boro's boss no doubt tempted to tinker with his attack after firing a blank at Sunderland last week.

"Riley is in good shape," said Carrick.

"It's over the course of a season we need to look after the players. He's back, he's trained with us for a couple of weeks, he's fine."

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When fit McGree is a key figure for Boro but the midfielder only featured in 22 games last season - and only made 14 starts - because of injury setbacks.

That is in Carrick's mind as he eases McGree back into action.

"That all comes into the decision making of how quickly the boys come back in," he said.

"Riley has been chomping at the bit, as all the lads have. It's our job to make that decision when it's the right time.

"There's a bit of everything that goes into that decision, really. The eye does tell you a lot, and the instinct tells you a lot over time. Hopefully experience helps as well. The medical input, sports science, the data, it all comes together."