Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough's emphatic goal scoring in their past three league games - including six in their dominant displayed over Oxford United on Saturday - has propelled them up to fifth in the Championship table off the back of three convincing wins.

Striker Emmanuel Latte Lath has been responsible for five of the 15 scored in those three victories and will be hoping to add to his tally as Blackburn Rovers come to town on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Rovers' match against Portsmouth was called off at the weekend due to Storm Burt but they will certainly be looking to cause some disruption of their own when they finally take to the pitch for the first time since 9 November.

• Middlesbrough have won two of their last 18 league games against Blackburn Rovers (D9 L7) and drew 0-0 in the most recent meeting in March.

• Seven of Blackburn’s last nine league visits to Middlesbrough have been drawn, with Rovers winning the other two in 2021 and 2022.

• Middlesbrough have lost two of their last four home league games (W2), one more defeat than in their previous 10 such games (W6 D3).

• Blackburn are looking to win successive away league games for the first time since their final two such matches of 2023-24, having beaten Cardiff 3-1 in their most recent such game.

• Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway has netted three goals in his three previous Championship appearances against Blackburn, including two for Bristol City in April last season.

Image source, BBC Sport

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has said he has moved on from his side’s 6-2 thrashing of Oxford United on Saturday.

The impressive victory meant Boro have now scored 15 goals in their last three games - the first time they have done so since November 1947 - but Carrick has emphasised the importance of his in-form squad looking forwards.

"There was a lot to be happy about, that’s pretty obvious," he told BBC Radio Tees. "I have to say we’ve moved on though in terms of [being] ready for the next game.

"I'm delighted the way the boys have come in and got their heads on the next game already."

Boro welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Riverside on Wednesday night after their fixture against Portsmouth at Ewood Park on Saturday fell victim to the weather.

The postponement means John Eustace's side have not been in action since before the international break but Carrick does not they believe this will give them an advantage in midweek.

"Between Saturday and Wednesday there's more than enough time to recover for a game anyway- whether we played or didn't play, I don't think it would have made a major impact," Carrick added.

"It is what it is, we know where we're at, the boys have recovered well and that's all we can ask for."

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough scored six goals in an away league game for the first time since October 1960 after thumping Oxford United on Saturday.

A hat-trick from Emmanuel Latte Lath, two goals from Finn Azaz and another from substitute Tommy Conway saw a rampant Boro climb into the Championship play-off positions.

Boro racked up 16 shots in total, 12 of which were on target.

The win also means Boro have scored 15 goals in their last three league games following their 4-1 win at QPR and 5-1 victory over Luton Town before the international break.

Incredibly, the last time Boro scored six on the road they failed to win in a 6-6 draw at Charlton Athletic which featured a hat-trick from the late Brian Clough.

That match became the joint-highest score draw in English league football alongside Arsenal's 6-6 draw with Leicester City in April 1930.

Image source, Rex Features

Michael Carrick admits the loss of midfielder Aidan Morris for "a number of weeks" is a blow for Middlesbrough.

The 23-year-old USA international suffered a twisted knee in training with his country ahead of their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica.

Morris had played all 21 matches for club and country since the start of the season, having appeared in 22 more for previous club Columbus Crew between February and June.

Carrick has given his blessing for Morris to remain in the US before linking up with the Boro squad next week.

"We’ve given him an extra little bit of time off because it’s the right thing to do - he’s played a lot of football," Carrick said before his side head to Oxford United in the Championship on Saturday.

"He’ll be back with us next week. It’s a blow, it’s disappointing, but it's part of the game and hopefully he won’t be too long. He’ll come back strong, fit and fresh."

Carrick said he would "have to wait and see" on the fitness of Morris' midfield-partner Hayden Hackney, who is nursing an ankle problem.

"We’re hopeful, we're not giving up on him," Carrick said, with reference to Saturday.

Left-back Lukas Engel and centre-back Rav van den Berg have resumed light training after injury but remain absent, having missed 12 and three games respectively.

Image source, Getty Images

It wasn't just the impressive Liverpool loanee Ben Doak who was away from the Middlesbrough squad on international duty over the past week.

Seven other players featured for their country including Doak's Scotland team-mate Tommy Conway, who started up front in the 1-0 Nations League win at home to Croatia and was an unused sub for the 2-1 victory in Poland.

Scotland's two wins in Group A1 in their final two fixtures means they have given themselves a chance of escaping relegation to League B when they contest a play-off in March next year.

Finn Azaz was a 76th minute sub for the Republic of Ireland in their 1-0 win over Finland on Thursday and played 23 minutes of the 5-0 defeat to England at Wembley in the Nations League three days later.

Ireland also face a play-off in four months to determine whether they stay in League B or are relegated to League C.

Isaiah Jones played the full 90 minutes in both of Guyana's games against Barbados in the Concacaf Nations League play-in round. Jones claimed an assist in a 4-1 win on Saturday and scored in a 5-3 victory on Tuesday.

Here’s a look at how Boro's players got on elsewhere:

• Riley McGree played 90 minutes for Australia in a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia and 81 minutes of a 2-2 draw with Bahrain in their Asian World Cup qualifiers.

• Anfernee Dijksteel played 21 minutes for Suriname in their 1-0 defeat by Canada in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final. He was an unused sub in a 3-0 loss in the second leg.

• Aidan Morris was called up by the USA but did not make the matchday squad for the 1-0 and 4-2 wins over Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final.

• Goalkeeper Seny Dieng was an unused sub for Senegal in their 1-0 win over Burkina Faso and 2-0 victory against Burundi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group stage.

Image source, Rex Features

Former England international Andros Townsend said he's "never seen a winger who can dribble with both feet" like Ben Doak.

The 19-year-old is on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough from Liverpool and starred for Scotland during their Nations League wins over Croatia and Poland.

"He was brilliant, so fearless," Townsend said of Doak's performance in the 1-0 victory against Croatia on BBC's Monday Night Club.

"We're talking about [Josko] Gvardiol, the most expensive defender in the world and he was just running at him. He was taking him on, he was doing tricks.

"But the thing that impressed me most as a winger myself is he can dribble with both feet, so you don't know what he's going to do.

"Most wingers now, they have a competitive weaker foot but I've never seen a winger be able to dribble with both feet.

"He can dribble with his right foot or make that nice angle with his left foot and come inside and get shots off. Very impressed with him as a whole."

Doak has scored once and delivered three assists in 10 Championship appearances for Boro this season, who are seventh in the table and chasing promotion.

The teenager also assisted John McGinn's opener in the dramatic 2-1 win over Poland in Warsaw on Monday night.

Ex-Norwich, Blackburn and Celtic striker Chris Sutton said the word "fearless" is a "great description" of Doak.

"That's what he is," said Sutton. "I think he's made the right move in terms of going out on loan at Middlesbrough. He's getting game time."

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Rex Features

There are eight Middlesbrough players who have been called up for senior international duty this week:

• Seny Dieng for Senegal

• Anfernee Dijksteel for Suriname

• Aidan Morris for USA

• Isaiah Jones for Guyana

• Ben Doak and Tommy Conway for Scotland

• Riley McGree for Australia

• Finn Azaz for Republic of Ireland

You can keep up to date with how they are getting on using our scores and fixtures list as well as follow Scotland and the Republic of Ireland's matches live on the BBC Sport website and Radio 5 Live.

This week's 72+:The EFL Podcast guest is Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith, who talks about his career so far with promotion joy and disappointing setbacks.

The experienced right-back, who's been out injured since October 2023 but is on the road to recovery, also reserved praise for Boro head coach and former Manchester United captain Michael Carrick.

"One thing you would say about Michael Carrick is - I've seen it first-hand as soon as he walked through the door - he coaches and he manages exactly how he plays," Smith said.

"I think the players can relate to him very, very well.

"As a player, all you want is clarity and honesty. That's certainly two things I've found over the years that are very, very important when it comes to dealing with managers and coaches and that's what he gives you."

Middlesbrough is Carrick's first permanent managerial role, having briefly took over as caretaker for the Red Devils in November 2021 before Ralf Rangnick became interim boss 12 days later.

Smith, however, feels that the former England international is making the most of his first appointment.

"From my point of view, he's done a terrific job," he added.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith admits he is desperate to get back playing again after more than a year on the sidelines.

Smith, 32, has been out since October 2023 when he ruptured his Achilles in a match against Birmingham City.

The former Huddersfield Town and Stoke City player has undergone an extensive period of rehabilitation but hopes he is near the end of it.

"I'm on the road to recovery and hopefully I'll be back on the grass again sooner rather than later," he told 72+: The EFL Podcast.

Smith was Boro's regular right-back under boss Michael Carrick when he got injured, with Luke Ayling arriving from Leeds United, initially on loan in January, to cover for his absence.

The defender says he has "hated" having to go through his recovery period and he 'craves' a return to match action.

"I want to get fit as soon as possible," he said. "I've absolutely hated every single minute of his rehabilitation.

"I'm a firm believer that it will make me stronger mentally. But I just want to get back on the grass.

"I crave that routine of going in on a Monday morning and preparing for a game on a Saturday."

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick wants his players to recharge their batteries during the international break ready for the long winter slog.

Boro are seventh in the Championship, one point outside the play-offs after scoring nine goals in wins over QPR and Luton Town.

It is their highest position of the season, but rather than worry about losing momentum, Carrick believes it is time to take stock.

"It's that time of year for the boys to take a deep breath," he told BBC Radio Tees.

Boro resume with a trip to Oxford United on 23 November where they will aim for a third consecutive win for the first time since March.

But with visits to Burnley and Leeds United to come before Christmas, it is set to be a very important time to shape the Teessiders' season.

"There's a long winter and a load of football ahead and hopefully plenty of good times," Carrick added.

"We've had a good little blast, but this feels like a time to freshen up."

Middlesbrough put in an outstanding performance to thrash struggling Luton Town 5-1 on Saturday - and midfielder Finn Azaz believes consistency has been the key to Boro's rise to form.

"I think goals have been coming," Azaz, who scored twice in the win, told the Red Alert podcast.

"It's really important to back up a win. The results have picked up and I think we can take loads of confidence. Win game after game, hopefully.

"We try to be consistent with our performances and I believe we've been doing that."

On his brace, Azaz shared some of the glory with team-mate Ben Doak - the Liverpool loanee set up Delano Burgzorg's opener and the first of Azaz's two goals.

"I speak to Doaky all the time," Azaz said.

"He's obviously flying down that right hand side and I tell him 'be aware I'm going to be there for the cutback'. I'll give him his props, it was a really good assist.

"He's outstanding as a character. Obviously on the pitch, he doesn't care who he's up against, isn't fazed by anything.

"It's a pleasure to play with him and seeing him grow out there."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Middlesbrough host Luton Town in the Championship on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• He said he wants the team to keep building on their attack "in terms of the creating and scoring" after an emphatic 4-1 victory over QPR on Tuesday.

• Left-back Neto Borges is being assessed after illness.

• Ben Doak is "coming through well" but still having his time monitored after lengthy injury spell last season.

• Carrick feels that the good performances from substitutes are "healthy" and is focused on overall team performance.

• It's "good to have Hayden Hackney back" as the midfielder returns from suspension.

• He thinks Luton's performances have "been a lot better" than their results and are improving.

• The Championship table is "tight" but there are "good signs" from the team, however he still feels they still need to improve.